Did Adam ever imagine his likeness would grace a fountain in Russia? Here at the Adam Fountain in Peterhof, we find just that. The Adam Fountain, one of a pair with the Eve Fountain, stands as a testament to Peter the Great’s admiration for Venetian art. Peter the Great, inspired by sculptures at the Doge’s Palace in Venice, commissioned Giovanni Bonazza to create replicas. Bonazza, also Venetian, crafted this marble statue of Adam in 1722. The original Adam sculpture in Venice was the work of Antonio Rizzo, a renowned 15th-century sculptor. The Adam Fountain isn’t just a beautiful sculpture. It represents a connection between Russia and Venice. It also symbolizes Peter the Great and Catherine I as the “ancestors” of the Russian empire. Look closely at the fountain’s design. It features a central marble statue surrounded by sixteen water jets. The octagonal basin mirrors the eight paths diverging from the fountain, a subtle nod to the geometric layout of the surrounding avenues. These jets, reaching a height of seven meters, don’t spray. Instead, they break into large, distinct drops visible from afar. Imagine strolling through the gardens in the 18th century. You might have sought shelter from the rain in the trellis arbors that once surrounded the Adam Fountain. Today, modern constructions evoke the memory of those elegant shelters. Remarkably, the Adam Fountain has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. Its original appearance has been preserved, offering us a glimpse into the grandeur of Peter the Great’s vision.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to