Fountain of Neptune (Madrid)
Fountain in Madrid, Spain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fountain of Neptune (Spanish: Fuente de Neptuno) is a neoclassical fountain located in Madrid, Spain. It lies on the centre of the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, a roundabout in the Paseo del Prado. The sculptural group in its centre represents Neptune, a Roman water deity.
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| Fountain of Neptune | |
|---|---|
| Fuente de Neptuno (Spanish) | |
View from the south | |
 | |
| Artist | Juan Pascual de Mena |
| Year | 1781–1786 |
| Medium | White marble |
| Movement | Neoclassicism |
| Subject | Neptune |
| Location |
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History and description
Designed by Ventura Rodríguez,[1] the sculpture—made of white marble from Montesclaros—was commissioned to Juan Pascual de Mena.[2] Sculptural works began in 1781.[3] Following the master's death in April 1784,[4] the fountain was finished in October 1786 by his disciples.[5]
The fountain is formed by a circular pylon with the sculptural group in its centre. The crowned Roman god wields a trident with one hand while he grabs a sea snake with the other hand.[6]
It has a maximum water capacity of 305 m3.[1]
The fountain is also a site where Atlético Madrid supporters gather to celebrate the team's trophies, sometimes alongside players.[7] When Atléti won La Liga in 2014 – their tenth league title overall but their first since 1996 – captain Gabi climbed the statue of Neptune and draped a club flag over the trident and a club scarf around the statue's head.[8]
