The Trevi Fountain

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16690

The Trevi Fountain deserves recognition as one of a select group of monuments, the form and meaning of which produce a resonance transcending the culture and age that conceived them. A survey of artists stimulated by the Trevi, from Piranesi and Chambers to Fellini and Charles Moore, attests to the range of its impact as well as to its enduring value as an artistic metaphor. In a comprehensive study of the fountain, John A. Pinto traces the history of the Trevi from its origins in 19 B.C.—when the water that still feeds the Trevi was first brought to Rome—to the completion of the fountain in 1762. His fascinating book demonstrates that the Trevi's form and meaning are inextricably bound up with the history and fabric of Rome itself.

Pinto draws on archival documents and drawings, many of them unpublished, to analyze the numerous proposals for embellishing the Trevi in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries and to clarify Nicola Salvi's role in the design of the fountain. Throughout, Pinto emphasizes the fountain's relationship to the urban environment of Rome; he shows that the location and proposed appearance of the Trevi were influenced by the intersection of private and public interests. As a result of his research, the Trevi emerges both as a compelling symbol of Rome's classical heritage and as a concrete reality that posed specific design problems for architects, sculptors, and their patrons.

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Author

PublisherYale University Press

Print publication date September 1986 (out of print)

Print ISBN 9780300033359

EISBN 9780300242829

Illustrations 186

Print Status out of print

Publisher (out of print)

WorldCat

Google Books

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List of illustrations

Trevi Fountain, general view with piazza
Plan of the Campus Martius
Gemstone of Agrippa with nymphaeum on reverse
Map showing the course of the Aqua Virgo
Conduit of the Aqua Virgo at Tor Sapienza
Conduit of the Acqua Vergine behind the Trevi
Plan of urban aqueducts
Model of Rome in the reign of Constantine, showing the arcade of the Aqua Virgo
Arco del Nazareno, reconstuction
Arco del Nazareno
The Trevi superimposed on the remains of Ancient Rome, after Lanciani, "Forma Urbis"
The Castellum Aquae Juliae, coin of Alexander Severus
The Castellum Aquae Juliae
The Castellum Aquae Juliae, Gatteschi reconstruction
Plan of the Campo Marzio
Medieval portico on Piazza di Trevi
Site plan of the Piazza di Trevi
Depiction of Rome with representation of the Trevi
Map of Rome, detail of the Trevi
The Trevi of Nicholas V
Unexecuted project for the Trevi drafted under Pope Clement VIII
Fontana dell'Acqua Felice
Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
Leonardo Bufalini's plan of Rome showing the Trevi, detail
Depérac-Lafréry plan of Rome, showing the Trevi, detail
Plan illustrating the urban context of the Trevi with property divisions, adapted from Nolli
Unexecuted project for the Trevi
Maggi-Maupin-Losi plan of Rome showing the Trevi, detail
Unexecuted project for the Trevi drafted under Pope Urban VIII
Piazza di Trevi
Plan of Rome, detail
The Trevi viewed from the altana of the Quirinal Palace
Site plan of the Piazza di Trevi
Trevi (incorporating aspects of Bernini's design)
Piazza di Trevi with SS. Vincenzo e Anastasio
Site plan of SS. Vincenzo e Anastasio
The Trevi and SS. Vincenzo e Anastasio
Fountain of the Four Rivers
The Trevi at Piazza Colonna
The Trevi at Piazza Colonna
View of the Piazza di Trevi
Site plan of the area behind the Trevi
Unexecuted project for the Trevi showing the façade of the Palazzo Poli
Triglyph on the facade of the Palazzo Poli
Design for the Fontana di Trevi
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Concorso Clementino project for a wall fountain
Concorso Clementino project for a wall fountain
Concorso Clementino project for a wall fountain
Concorso Clementino project for a wall fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain with a ruined aqueduct
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain with the Vestal Tuccia
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain with Roma
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain with Atlas
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain with Roma
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Fontaine de la Rue Grenelle
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Unexecuted project for the Trevi Fountain
Fireworks macchina
Unexecuted project for the facade of S. Giovanni in Laterano
Caricature of Nicola Salvi
Aerial view of the Trevi Fountain
General view of the Trevi Fountain
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the southwest corner
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the oak tree
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the crumbling pilaster
Fontana di Trevi, central pavilion
Fontana di Trevi, sculpture and basin viewed from first-floor window to the east
Fontana di Trevi, sculpture and basin viewed from first-floor window to the east
Fontana di Trevi, detail of entablature and attic
Fontana di Trevi, view from the west
Fontana di Trevi, Oceanus
Fontana di Trevi, Oceanus
Fontana di Trevi, Oceanus with triton group from above
Fontana di Trevi, right-hand triton from above
Fontana di Trevi, left hand triton from above
Fontana di Trevi, right-hand triton
Fontana di Trevi, left-hand triton
Fontana di Trevi, statue of Fertility
Fontana di Trevi, statue of Health
Fontana di Trevi, Agrippa supervising the construction of the Aqua Virgo
Fontana di Trevi, Trivia pointing out the source of the Aqua Virgo
Fontana di Trevi, attic sculpture and inscription
Fontana di Trevi, view down on the scogli
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the scogli
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the scogli
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the water plants to the left of cascade
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the scogli with grapevine
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the drinking fountain
Fontana di Trevi, detail of escutcheon
Fontana di Trevi, basins
Fontana di Trevi, basins
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the three central basins from above
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the water in the central basin
Fontana di Trevi, detail of secondary cascade
Fontana di Trevi, detail of basin
Fontana di Trevi, frontal veduta
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the scogli
Fontana di Trevi, detail of the urn and parapet
The Quirinal Palace and SS. Vincenzo e Anasatasio seen from the attic of the Trevi
The Trevi Fountain framed by the Via di S. Vincenzo
The Trevi seen from Piazza dei Crociferi
Site plan of the Piazza di Trevi
Unexecuted project for enlarging the Piazza di Trevi
The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio
Model of the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi under construction
Annual medal of 1736, reverse
The Trevi under construction
Caricature of Giovanni Battista Maini
View of the springs of the Acqua Vergine at Salone
Pope Benedict XIV Visiting the Trevi Fountain
The South Facade of the Palazzo Poli with the Trevi Fountain Under Construction
Model of the Trevi, detail
Second story windows of the Trevi
Second story windows of the Trevi
Plan of the Trevi
Elevation of the Trevi
Second story window of the Trevi
First story window of the Trevi
Escutcheon of Clement XII crowning the Trevi
Escutcheon of Clement XII crowning the Trevi, Fontana di Trevi
Escutcheon of Clement XII crowning the Trevi, seen from behind
Escutcheon of Clement XII crowning the Trevi, detail, seen from behind
Plan and elevation of the Trevi under construction
Elevation of the Trevi
Study for the Oceanus group
Study for the Oceanus group
View of the Trevi
View of the Trevi
Central niche of the Trevi, section view
Elevation of the Trevi
Oblique veduta of the Trevi
Fountain of Trevi, Rome
Scogli and basin of the Trevi
Scogli and basin of the Trevi
Scogli and basin of the Trevi
Fontana di Trevi, detail of Oceanus
Fontana di Trevi, plan of the central niche
Tomb of Nero
Oceanus fountain at Villa Albani
Head of Oceanus
Study of a triton sarcophagus in the Corsini collection
Neptune sarcophagus
Oceanus mosaic
Neptune Fountain
Oceanus Fountain
Fountain of Neptune, detail
Fountain of the Four Rivers, detail of snake
The Arch of Titus
The Arch of Constantine
Fontana di Trevi, showing swirling pater of vault coffering
Temple of Venus and Rome
Piazza del Campidoglio
Loggia del Capitaniato
Villa Pignetto Sacchetti
S. Giovanni in Laterano, façade
Donnerbrunnen
Elevation of the Trevi
Elevation of the Trevi
Elevation of the Trevi
Sketch of the colossal vase on the Trevi
Chestnut Hill Pumping Station, Boston
Piazza d'Italia

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Contents

Contents

Author

PublisherYale University Press

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.001

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16691

Free

Illustrations

Author

PublisherYale University Press

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.002

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16692

Free

Acknowledgments

Author

PublisherYale University Press

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.003

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16693

~The Trevi Fountain is unquestionably the best known and most spectacular monument of eighteenth-century Rome. Since its completion in 1762, it has impressed successive generations of tourists and has inspired novelists, composers, and filmmakers. A survey of artists stimulated by the Trevi, from Piranesi and Chambers to Fellini and Charles Moore, attests to the...

Author

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.1-4

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.004

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16694

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Salvi, NicolaFountains--Italy--Rome--18th centuryClement XII, Pope, 1652-1740Rome (Italy)--History--18th centuryArchitecture, Baroque--Italy--Rome

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1. The Early History of the Trevi: From the Aqua Virgo to the Acqua Vergine

~The millennial history of the Trevi Fountain, like that of the Christian era which it parallels, began during...

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Fountains--Italy--Rome--18th centuryAqueducts--Italy--RomeCampo Marzio (Rome, Italy)City planning--Italy--RomeWater-supply engineering--Italy--RomeRome (Italy)--History--18th century

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.5-27

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.005

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16695

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2. The Trevi from 1453 to 1730: Urban Politics

~The first of the Renaissance pontiffs to build on a large scale, Nicholas V (1447–55) initiated an ambitious program aimed at returning Rome to her former glory. For the building program of Nicholas V, see Magnuson, Studies, 55–221, and C. W. Westfall, In This Most...

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Fountains--Italy--RomeArchitecture--Italy--Rome--HistoryCity planning--Italy--RomeAlberti, Leon Battista, 1404-1472Public works--Italy--RomeNicholas V, Pope, 1397-1455Della Porta, Giacomo, 1532-1602Bernini, Gian Lorenzo, 1598-1680Pietro, da Cortona, 1597-1669Rome (Italy)--History

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.28-63

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.006

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16696

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3. Unexecuted Projects for the Trevi Fountain, 1700–1730

~Urban VIII’s decision to abandon Bernini’s project for the Trevi Fountain, coupled with his papal successors’ disinterest in completing it, meant that for more than half a century the principal display of the Acqua Vergine languished, presenting a singularly undistinguished appearance to Romans and foreign visitors alike. Throughout this period,...

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Fountains--Italy--RomeAqueducts--Italy--RomeWater-supply engineering--Italy--RomeUnbuilt architectural projects--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture, Baroque--Italy--Rome

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.64-97

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.007

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16697

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4. Nicola Salvi and the Competition of 1730

~To understand the unexecuted projects for the Trevi made between 1730 and 1732, we must consider two important developments. With the first of these, the newly constructed facade of the Palazzo Poli, we are already acquainted. On July 9, 1728, only two days after Valesio’s entry describing...

Author

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.98-127

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.008

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16698

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Unbuilt architectural projects--Italy--Rome--18th centuryFountains--Italy--Rome--18th centurySalvi, NicolaVanvitelli, Luigi, 1700-1773

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5.The Trevi Fountain, 1732–1762: Three Decades of Artistic Collaboration

~The architectural backdrop of the Fontana di Trevi occupies the full extent of the southern face of the Palazzo Poli, its monumental presence dominating the relatively small piazza onto which it looks (fig. 1). The fountain proper projects far into the square, which is largely taken up by its...

Author

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.128-171

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.009

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16699

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Fountains--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture--Italy--Rome--18th centurySalvi, NicolaSculpture, Italian--18th century

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6. The Construction History of the Trevi

~The preceding description of the Fontana di Trevi has served to point out the component elements of the fountain as well as to identify the artists responsible for them and to indicate the dates of their execution. Since work on the Trevi continued sporadically for over three decades, however, it is necessary to account for its long and complex building history....

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Architecture--Italy--Rome--18th centuryFountains--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture--Designs and plans--Italy--Rome--18th centurySalvi, NicolaMaini, Giovanni Battista, 1690-1752

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.172-189

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.010

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16700

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7. Salvi’s Design for the Trevi: Evolution, Conflict, and Compromise

~The long and complex building history of the Fontana di Trevi underscores the value of documentary evidence in resolving questions of attribution and dating. For all of their presumed accuracy and usefulness, however, such written accounts cannot provide a complete picture of how the design of the Trevi evolved. In order to bring such a picture into sharper focus...

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Architecture--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture, Baroque--Italy--RomeSalvi, NicolaMaini, Giovanni Battista, 1690-1752Sculpture, Italian--18th centurySculpture, Baroque--Italy--Rome

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.190-219

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.011

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16701

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8. Salvi’s Iconographical Program for the Trevi

~In the course of describing the Fontana di Trevi, tracing its long construction history, and illustrating the evolution of Salvi’s design, it has become obvious that the fountain’s complex interplay of forms must have been largely determined by the architect’s desire to convey an equally sophisticated expressive content. Salvi’s literary...

Author

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Architecture--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture, Baroque--Italy--RomeMythology, Greek, in artSculpture, Baroque--Italy--RomeSculpture, Italian--18th centurySalvi, NicolaOceanus (Greek deity)

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.220-235

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.012

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16702

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9. The Trevi and Its Place in the History of Art

~A survey of the fortuna critica of the Trevi Fountain reveals a remarkable range of opinion regarding its style and artistic quality. Giovanni Bottari, writing while the Trevi was still under...

Author

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.236-259

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00161.013

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16703

Chapter subject tags:Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy)Sculpture, Baroque--Italy--RomeArchitecture, Baroque--Italy--RomeArchitecture--Italy--Rome--18th centuryArchitecture--Classical influences

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