The Fontanella del Facchino does not look like a big deal. In fact, to many bystanders passing by the wall of the Banca di Roma, it merely looks like an ordinary fountain with an eroding man holding a barrel dispensing drinking water. Albeit, the appearance is not provocative, the story behind the fountain is. It was erected around 1590 and depicts a porter which may have been based on a painting by Jacopino del Conte. It is not known who exactly the man is, but it is probably a member of the Fraternity of Water-Carriers (Universita degli Acquaroli). Water carriers quite literally would balance two barrels of water by their sides supported by a wooden beam along their necks. In quite a literal sense then, these carriers are still hard at work even today, providing Romans with clean, refreshing drinking water. I can personally appreciate these drinking fountains since the aforementioned Fontanella del Facchino sits about ten strides from my school, the Sede di Roma.
It is also one of many “talking statues” found throughout the city. They do not actually speak aloud, but rather through the use of paper posted onto the statue which expresses the views of whoever authored the piece. Some more of these “talking statues” will be covered later in the blog so stay tuned!
This page provided the picture of the water carrier: http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:9B5TBz811fEJ:www.thebookofdays.com/months/sept/29.htm+fraternity+of+water+carriers&hl=it&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=it
1 comment:
One of my topics is talking statues and free speech in Roman history and I read all about this fountain! Its awesome that you are looking at it!
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