Giochi d’Acqua

Many Renaissance gardens contained automata inspired by Hero. The Villa d'Este at Tivoli, begun in 1560, contained both a water organ and singing birds. The Fountain of the Owl featured about 20 birds, of different species, perched on the limbs of a bronze olive tree. These birds sang and moved. At the appearance of an owl (also of painted bronze, the birds would suddenly stop singing. When the owl departed, the birds would begin to sing again.

I can't recall reading about any Renaissance automata which hit people in the face, but many Renaissance gardens contained jets of water which would suddenly soak visitors. The Villa Lante, begun in 1573, contains over 400 such jets. It was especially popular to place hidden jets at principle viewing points and near important statues. The grotto of the Medici villa at Castello contains numerous jets of water hidden in its floor. The gates of this grotto would suddenly shut, trapping visitors inside, then the hidden jets would be turned on.

I give tours of my garden; maybe I should revive the tradition of giochi d'acqua.

Bibliography

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