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Fountain (Babuino)

Fountain (Babuino) is one of Rome’s six talking statues. It depicts a reclining silenus, popularly called a "babbuino" in Roman dialect because of its rough, deformed, ape-like appearance. In 1571, Pope Pius V ordered a public fountain to be made, and the statue was placed there as decoration. After several relocations, the silenus returned to its original site in 1957, beside the church of San Atanasio dei Greci. Like the other talking statues, it was used to display pasquinades, the satirical and insulting notes through which Romans mocked high-ranking authorities. In 2015, the fountain was restored with a €25,000 donation from the Italian luxury brand Brioni.

Babuino Fountain with a reclining stone figure over a rectangular basin of greenish water.
The Babuino Fountain in Rome, showing a weathered reclining stone figure above a basin of water.
October 2011 © · CC BY 4.0
Babuino Fountain with a weathered reclining bearded stone statue above a small basin.
The Babuino Fountain, showing a weathered reclining stone figure above a simple fountain basin.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Babuino Fountain, a weathered reclining stone statue with water flowing into a basin against a graffiti-covered wall.
The Babuino Fountain shows a heavily weathered reclining stone figure with water running into a dark basin.
2002 © Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY 3.0
Weathered reclining figure on the Babuino Fountain, with a dark textured body and lighter bearded head.
Detail of the Babuino Fountain in Rome, showing the weathered reclining figure.
2007 © · CC BY 3.0
Weathered stone bust detail from the Babuino Fountain, showing a rough bearded face on a dark base.
Detail of the Babuino Fountain, with a weathered stone bust and heavily textured facial features.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleFountain (Babuino)
Alternative namesIl Babuino; Babbuino; Babuino
TypeAncient public fountain; one of Rome's talking statues
Depicted figureReclining Silenus
English translation of nameFountain of the Baboon

Historical context

Function in Roman cultureUsed as one of Rome's talking statues for satirical pasquinades and political commentary
Nickname originThe name babbuino/Babuino was given by the people of Rome because the figure was considered ugly and deformed, like a monkey or baboon
Nickname etymologyAn unproven thesis proposes that babbuino is a phonetic variant of babbione, possibly derived from the Latin bambalio, bambalionis
Associated satire termBabuinate
Historical practicePasquinades were anonymous, often violent and irreverent satires aimed at prominent public figures in Rome

Creator

Commissioned byPope Pius V

Discovery and provenance

Original installation1571
Original settingA public fountain at the facade of Alessandro Grandi's palace on Via Paolina Trifaria (formerly Clementina) in Rome
Commissioning arrangementPope Pius V granted water from the restored Vergine aqueduct to Alessandro Grandi's palace, and a public fountain was built there in exchange
Completion dateBy 1576
Later relocationMoved to a niche adjacent to the palace in 1738; dismantled in 1877; returned to the street in 1957
Relocation after 1877The statue was placed in the courtyard of the former Boncompagni palace (Palazzo Boncompagni Cerasi), and the basin was reused on Via Flaminia
Return to original area1957
Discovery circumstancesThe circumstances and place of discovery are not known

Physical characteristics

Surface conditionEncrustations and blackening suggest exposure to flowing water in antiquity
BaseRocky base
FormA reclining Silenus on a rock
Head attributionThe head is probably unrelated, perhaps from a silenus or a satyr

Materials

Body materialPorous stone
Head materialWhite marble
Basin materialNot stated

Location and ownership

Niche descriptionA niche flanked by two pilasters with capitals supporting an upper cornice with two dolphins
Current conditionThe sculpture is reduced to a decorative element of the recovered ancient basin; the wall behind it has been painted with anti-vandalism paint to prevent graffiti
Heraldic decorationTwo dolphins, a heraldic symbol of the family of Pope Gregory XIII (Buoncompagni)
Original street nameVia Paolina
Street name derived from sculptureVia del Babuino
Associated buildingFormer palace of Alessandro Grandi, later owned by the Boncompagni/Buoncompagni family
Current locationNext to the Church of Saint Athanasius of the Greeks, Via del Babuino, Campo Marzio, Rome, Italy

History and restoration

Construction period1571–1576
Removal1877, during sewer construction works
Restoration before 2015The fountain and its surroundings were renovated in 2007
Restoration in 2015Restored from 29 October to 17 December 2015 with funding from Brioni (25,000 euros)
Conservation measureAn iron fence supported by two stone columns was installed around the fountain after the 2007 renovation

Significance

Cultural influenceThe fountain strongly influenced the imagination and interest of the people of Rome
Toponymic significanceIt gave its name to Via del Babuino, replacing Via Paolina as the official street name
Related workPasquino