English Landscape Gardens

English gardens in the late seventeenth century had been formal in design, imitating the French example, supremely that of Versailles; but in the early eighteenth century attempts were made to bring the surrounding countryside into garden design, a development that still seems more in keeping with the English gardener's temperament today. Exploring Rousham House garden in Oxfordshire, planned by William Kent in about 1735 and the best surviving example of early English landscape gardening, we see how serpentine paths and informal clumps of trees break up the rigidity of the design and create unexpected vistas. Kent also introduced classical motifs into the garden, including buildings of classical design and statues based on Roman and Greek originals. His style influenced Capability Brown and was itself imitated in France and Germany.

© 1998-2001 The Roland Collection & Pira Intl.