Fountain of Neptune (Madrid)
| Fountain of Neptune | |
|---|---|
| Spanish: Fuente de Neptuno | |
View from the south | |
| Artist | Juan Pascual de Mena |
| Year | 1781–1786 |
| Medium | White marble |
| Movement | Neoclassicism |
| Subject | Neptune |
| Location | Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, Madrid, Spain |
| 40°24′55″N 3°41′39″W / 40.415268°N 3.694153°W | |
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.
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]
References
- Citations
- ^ a b Fraguas 2014.
- ^ Pérez de Domingo 2006, pp. 319–320.
- ^ Pérez de Domingo 2006, p. 320.
- ^ Pérez de Domingo 2006, p. 321.
- ^ Pérez de Domingo 2006, p. 322.
- ^ Pérez de Domingo 2006, p. 323.
- ^ Ortiz García 2006, p. 196.
- ^ "Una multitud de aficionados celebra con el Atlético el título de liga" [A crowd of fans celebrates the league title with Atlético] (in Spanish). Fountain of Neptune, Madrid. EFE. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2026 – via YouTube.
- 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. hdl:10261/7766. 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.