Thependantspells out the word ALAMADEN.
Almaden was founded by the Romans who used the mineral as pigment for its vibrant reddish hue.
Many Chinese emperors and nobles succumbed to mercury poisoning over the centuries.
Emperor Xuanzong of the late Tang dynasty became increasingly irritable and paranoida sign of mercury poisoningduring his final days.
Cinnabar, the most common source ore of mercury.
At that time the toxicity of mercury was not understood.
The metal was frequently used in many industrial processes, such as the production of felt.
Felt, in turn, was used in the manufacturing of hats in 18th and 19th century England.
The fountain was presented during the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris.
Later, the fountain was donated to Joan Miro Foundation, where it was once openly approachable.
Splashes of mercury around the fountain.
Photo credit:StevenBrace/Flickr
A model of the Mercury Fountain.
Photo credit:Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Photo credit:David Merrett/Flickr
