Nymphaeum at Villa Giulia

Deity: Nymphs

Title: Nymphaeum at Villa Giulia

Designers: Bartolomeo Ammanti, Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola

Date: 1551–155

Medium: Marble

Dimensions: approximately 20x 30 feet

Location: Villa Giulia- Rome, Italy

Photo: Caitlyn Mitchell

Significance of the work:

Nymphs are the female relatives of gods and goddesses. They are known to be very beautiful and often seen as entertainment or servants for more dominant Deities. They are the goddesses and protectors of localized geographical landmarks such as rivers, mountains, or forests. Different types of nymphs exist such as Naiads (springs and rivers), Dryads (forests), Nereid(the Mediterranean), Oceanids (the sea), Oreads (mountains), Limoniads (meadows), Limniads (lakes, marshes and swamps), and Napaea (valleys). They were worshipped in a nymphaeum like the one shown. In this case a fountain was built as a monument over a well. This fountain used water from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct in Rome. This nympheum would have been the center of the manner in the summer where meals and meetings would often be held because it is the coolest and most decorated area of the house. Michelangelo helped with reviewing the plans for this nymphaeum.