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Fountain of Neptune (Madrid)

Coordinates: 40°24′55″N 3°41′39″W / 40.415268°N 3.694153°W / 40.415268; -3.694153
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Fountain of Neptune
Spanish: Fuente de Neptuno
View from the south
ArtistJuan Pascual de Mena
Year1781–1786
MediumWhite marble
MovementNeoclassicism
SubjectNeptune
LocationPlaza de Cánovas del Castillo [es], Madrid, Spain
Coordinates40°24′55″N 3°41′39″W / 40.415268°N 3.694153°W / 40.415268; -3.694153
View from the north

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 [es], a roundabout in the Paseo del Prado. The sculptural group in its centre represents Neptune, a Roman water deity.

History and description

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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 the site where the Atlético Madrid's fans celebrate the team's trophies.[7]

References

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Citations
Bibliography
  • Fraguas, Rafael (24 May 2014). "Las deidades del balompié". El País.
  • Ortiz García, Carmen (2006). "La Diosa Blanca y el Real Madrid. Celebraciones deportivas y espacio urbano". Disparidades. Revista de Antropología. 61 (2). Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: 191–208. doi:10.3989/rdtp.2006.v61.i2.21. ISSN 0034-7981.
  • Pérez de Domingo, Lorenzo (2006). "La obra del escultor Juan Pascual de Mena en Madrid" (PDF). Madrid. Revista de Arte, Geografía e Historia (8): 279–326. ISSN 1139-5362.