Fountain of Apollo
The Fountain of Apollo is a 16th century work of art located In the Islands Garden in the Royal Palace in Aranjuez, Spain. It features an octagonal marble plinth, base and parapet, and in the center there is a cup with the figure of Apollo standing on top of a dragon. Various reliefs can be seen on the base of the fountain, with a satyr’s foot set in each corner.
It is attributed to the Italian artist Michelangelo Naccherino (Florence, 1550 – Naples, 1622) and the Spanish Renaissance architect Juan Bautista de Toledo (Toledo 1515 – Madrid 1567).
Interestingly the sculpture does not show any of the elements related to the Greek god (usually depicted with a lyre and laurel wreath). Instead it is said that it represents Vertummo, a Roman divinity who personified the notion of change during the seasons. Shown with the ripening of fruits, which happened during the summer, It is said he had the power of transforming himself into all the forms or things.
The square in which this fountain is located was previously called the Puerta del Sol in Aranjuez, in reference to the crowds that would come, similar to the square with the same name in Madrid.
