Neptune Fountain in Schonbrunn Gardens, Vienna
At the foot of Schonbrunn Hill, behind Schonbrunn Palace of Vienna is the grand Neptune Fountain. A very impressive fountain, this huge white marble fountain stands between Gloriette and the Palace.
Schonbrunn Garden, Vienna
Can you believe this baroque garden at Schönbrunn was made as a demonstration of power and an ambition ‘to outshine Versailles’?!
Schönbrunn’s garden was built in 1753 during and after a series of disastrous wars with Frederick of Prussia. Its colour is known as ‘Vienna Yellow’ or ‘Maria Teresa Yellow’named after Maria Teresa who was Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Queen of Bohemia.
Parterres, the level space in the garden, and other features were made in the 1750s. Her husband, who established the zoological and botanical gardens at Schönbrunn, died in 1765. The zoo (Tiergarten), dating from 1752, is described as the ‘oldest in the world’. The hilltop Gloriette, which gives the garden its Baroque focus, was completed in 1775.
The garden looks mesmerizing from the balcony of the palace. The grounds were opened to the public by Joseph II in the late-eighteenth century, 1779.
Neptune Fountain in Schonbrunn Gardens
The Neptune Fountain’s construction was initiated in 1776, led by court architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg. Over the course of four years, the excavation for the basin was undertaken, reaching completion shortly before the empress’s passing.
It is highly likely that Hetzendorf von Hohenberg himself conceived the design, while Wilhelm Beyer executed the sculptural ensemble using Sterzing marble. The expansive basin is backed by a curved retaining wall that integrates with the hill’s slope, with vases adorning the balustrade atop it.
Neptune Fountain in Schonbrunn Gardens
In the centre of the group of statues stands Neptune in a shell shaped chariot, his trident in his hand. To his left is a nymph and to his right kneels the sea goddess Thetis. She is shown entreating Neptune to favor the voyage of her son Achilles, who has set off to conquer Troy.
At the foot of the fountain on either side are the Tritons, half man, half fish who belong to Neptune’s entourage. They are seen restraining the hippocampi or sea horses which draw Neptune’s chariot across the seas.
GROUP OF STATUES WITH THE SEA GOD NEPTUN
A semi-oval plinth served as the foundation for a breathtaking display of statues featuring the mighty sea god Neptune and his entourage. The wall and plinth were adorned with captivating blind panels, each intricately decorated with masks and garlands, imparting a sense of grandeur.
Neptune is positioned prominently in a shell-shaped chariot within a central grotto. His trident firmly grasped in his hand, he exuded power and authority. To his left, a graceful nymph stood, while on his right, the sea-goddess Thetis knelt, earnestly entreating Neptune to safeguard her son, Achilles, as he embarked on his fateful journey to conquer Troy.
Looking closer I could outline the delightful creatures frolicking at the foot of the grotto. These were the Tritons, enchanting beings with their half-human, half-fish forms, and loyal members of Neptune’s entourage. With conch shell trumpets in hand, they possessed the ability to instil fear in both man and beast. In their gentle control were the hippocampi, majestic sea-horses, diligently pulling Neptune’s chariot across the vast seas.
This depiction of Neptune’s dominion over the watery realm was a recurring motif in the art of the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. Symbolizing the monarchs who held sway over the destinies of their nations, it was a testament to the power and authority they possessed.
The skill and artistry that brought this magnificent creation to life stunned me to silence. It was a testament to human ingenuity and the timeless beauty that art can bestow upon our world.
There are paths leading up the hill, and from this height one gets great captures of the marble statues. The climate was most friendly that day and the statues against the bright blue sky with scattered white puffs looked most majestic.
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Fablous!! The last shot is simply fantastic, Wow what a fountain
You really captured these majestic artworks beautifully against those blue skies!
What a gorgeous fountain. Neptune cuts quite the figure!
Beautifully captured!
My Skywatch, have a nice weekend!
Great sculptures and with lot of nice details. You also have a blue sky.
Ornate and gorgeous.
What an impressive fountain! Loved seeing t5he details on the sculptures. Lovely background too!
Beautiful fountain, beautiful photos!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Wonderful photos and sky. I love the Roman mythology.
Amazing fountain!
Oh my beautiful place .. and such lovely pictures ..
Thanks for sharing
Bikram's
How I love the sculptures and it's fountain. Such an impressive photos you have.
Beautiful photos. I love these sculptures in the fountain! Hope you Have a wonderful weekend!
awesome shots
happy SWF
These sculptures are very beautifully made and yet I prefer a more modest simple style of art. This is too much for my taste.
Thank you for showing.
Beautiful indeed.. Very well captured..!
Beautiful fountains.
Beautiful.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Wow – gorgeous statues against that lovely sky!
The sky was very similar to this when I visited Neptune a few years ago. It makes for a beautiful background and you captured it well.
Sculptures and fountains hand in hand in beauty!
These are marvelous pictures of the fountain — and the sky.
Impressive fountain and lovely sky.
beautiful fountain…
So wonderful to see such an historic statue.
You have captured the details beautifully!
Great shots of beautiful places.
Now, I'm following you.
greetings.
That's one heck of a fountain! It's beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Looks like it's a huge fountain. Great blue sky too.
Sky Watch
An ornate fountain, and a beautiful blue sky!
the europeans really know how to build them fountains, no?
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What an incredible fountain! And gorgeous skies for a backdrop! You do get the most awesome captures, Indrani! Love these! Hope you have a great weekend!
Sylvia
thank you for feeding imagination!
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
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absolutely amazing that someone made that with their own hands!
That's a wonderful fountain and beautiful sky behind it.