Description
In the center of a granite fountain basin is a bronze statue of Providentia, with a large shield showing a Janus head. Providentia is the allegory of foresight or good government, which not at least refers to the good water supply of Vienna.
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
The pedestal surrounded by four cherubs with water spouting fish (pike, carp, catfish, and salmon), which serve as the actual fountind and together symbolize the Danube.
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
The basin is surrounded by four allegorical figures representing the rivers in the Archduchy of Austria, and at the same time the represents four ages and temperaments. The two male figures represent the rivers of Upper Austria , the two female those from Lower Austria:
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
- Ybbs, a resting girl with a water spouting vessel.
- Traun, a youthful figure with a trident aiming to a fish at the bottom of the basin.
- March, a female character, with a water spouting shell, and leaning to a relief of a battle (possibly the Romans against the Marcomanni is) and so emphasizes the character of March as a border river.
- Enns, an old ferryman, with a rudder, leaning against a rock - referring to the Enns as an important route to the Alps.
Inscription(s)
Under the four putti:
RAFAEL DONNER
modellirt und in Blei gegossen 1739.
|
Restauriert von Martin Fischer
1801.
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Die Commune Wien
unter Bürgermeister Dr. Felder 1873
|
Restaurirt und in Bronze ausgeführt
in der k.k. Kunst-Erzgiesserei von
Röhlich und Pönninger 1873. |
Annotation
Unveiled 4 November 1739. In 1770 it was removed because the puritanical Empress Maria Theresa was offended by the nudity of the river figures. The sculptures were handed over to the sculptor Johann Martin Fischer to melt. Fischer however recognized the high artistic value and did not let them melt. On the contrary: he restored the sculptures in 1801 and even accomplished it that the fountain was erected again. But the soft lead suffered greatly from the weather. In 1871, the city of Vienna decided to make copies of the fountain figures in bronze. The new fountain was finished in 1873. The original sculptures are placed in the Unteren Belvedere.
The official name of the fountain is "Providentia Fountain", but that difficult name was not used by the people. They named the fountain after its sculptor, "Donner Fountain".
Sculptor
- Georg Raphael Donner (Essling, Wien 1693 - Wien 1741),
Austrian sculptor statue)
(Wikipedia).
Sources & Information
Tags
Locatie (N 48°12'22" - E 16°22'14") (Satellite view: Google Maps)
Item Code: atwi038; Photograph: 9 September 2012
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt
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