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Fountain of the Sea Horses
One of the characteristic fountains of Villa Borghese in Rome
The Fountain of the Sea Horses is one of the characteristic fountains of Villa Borghese in RomeIt is located near the pond, in the heart of the park. The fountain consists of four seahorses, sculpted in marble, spitting water into a large circular basin. This fountain, along with other works of art and architectural structures, contributes to making Villa Borghese one of the most iconic and visited parks in the city of Rome.
The fountain was built in 1791, by order of Marcantonio IV Borghese, to replace the previous Fontana del Mascherone
The fountain was designed by the painter Cristoforo Unterperger and created by the sculptor Vincenzo Pacetti. It was placed in the late eighteenth century in place of the fountain of the Mascherone or of the Vela, destroyed during the renovation of the park.
It seems that the sculptor Pacetti received an antique cameo from Prince Borghese to use as a reference in designing the fountain. The execution of the individual parts was divided among various artists; in particular, the horses are by Luigi Salimei, except for the tails and wings, which were sculpted by Antonio Isopi, who also created the central support. The basin is by Giovanni Antonio Berté.
The Fountain is formed by a circular basin dug into the ground. From the centre of the basin emerge four horses with the body of a fish that with their heads and large fins support a smaller basin.
At the center of this second basin is a double chalice decorated with acanthus leaves, from which water gushes, cascading into the larger basin in a triple cascade. Other jets of water emerge between the horses' hooves.
Fountain of the Sea Horses
Author
Category Villa Borghese in Rome
Fontana delle tartarughe
Trevi Fountain
Fontana del Tritone
Barcaccia fountain
