Art and Water II: The Arrival of Tap Water
Discover the new uses of water and the most emblematic objects, with a look from the perspective of art.
The objects in the collection of the Museu de les Aigües, duly paired with works of art by great artists, show us how the arrival of tap water meant a change in uses and a real advance towards well-being in homes.
The heater
The arrival of running water in the domestic sphere influences the transformation of uses, spaces and customs. Well-being and hygiene include the private bathroom and instant hot water.
A chronicler of society at the end of the nineteenth century, such as the painter Ramón Casas (1866-1932), could not ignore a subject such as the bathroom. Its soft and seductive brushstroke spreads a dim, almost warm light, which increases the desired effect of full comfort.
The tap
Once the water distribution network to homes has been established, domestic taps become an essential piece in homes, becoming a functional and in many cases aesthetic element.
The naturalistic force of the painter Lucian Freud (1922-2011) crudely reflects an intimate space in which two abundant streams of water contrast, with a strong expressive component. One of the taps does not come out complete, which generates a feeling of anguish.
The water radiator
In the first heating, in the twentieth century, the water was heated with wood, coal or gas. The boiler was unique for the entire building and from this point the water was distributed to the various radiators, providing climatic comfort.
The so-called “painter of happiness” Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947), describes in Intérieur blanc, an atmosphere of elements of comfort: the intimacy of a space overlooking the garden, a warm fire on the floor, a tea set and a modern hot water radiator.
Sinai
At the beginning of the twenties of the twentieth century, at a time when the wealthy classes showed interest in the therapeutic functions of water, Sinai represented the possibility of bringing some of these healthy benefits closer to the domestic sphere.
Patented by the Valencian chemist and biologist Conrado Granell in 1928. The Sinai is made up of different columnar tanks that contain the aeration, filtering and mineralization elements through which the water passes to the amphora-shaped container, which has a tap at the bottom. At the same time it was considered a decorative element.
The mechanical washing machine
Like many of the first proposals for mechanizing laundry, the Morisons Washer 1900 imitated the traditional process: an agitator, manually operated, moved the dirty laundry inside the wooden drum. The models evolved and became automated.
As the use of washing machines spread to all families, river washing machines and public laundries fell into disuse and laundry began to be carried out in the domestic space, as shown in this lithograph showing a wealthy house.
The mouth of the hose
The urban concentrations of the early twentieth century led to the need to improve the cleanliness of public space, with water as a key element. Cleaning with hoses will become a common occurrence to maintain hygiene in cities.
As can be seen from the photograph by Francesc Català-Roca (1922-1998), the use of water made it possible to maintain a sufficient level of hygiene and cleanliness, despite the population and urban growth of the post-war years.
The Barcelona fountain
Barcelona model fountains are part of everyday life in many cities. It is made of cast iron and brass and is generally installed on a concrete base. It has a cylindrical shape, with a fluted shaft and a vegetable-looking finish.
The Pérez de Rozas, one of the lineages of photojournalists who have marked the history of photojournalism in Barcelona during the twentieth century, reflected on how the inauguration of a public fountain was an event of great importance in Barcelona in the middle of the century.
