Italian Renaissance Gardens DR. LOU MILLS – SEPT 2015
Country Estates and Retreats Chronology The Castle morphs into the Cloistered Gardens- 11 th Century Crusades11 th -14 th Century First Universities University of Bologna Great European Cathedrals th Century Black Death th Century The Renaissance Begins- 15th Century Cathedral of Notre Dame/ Paris started in 1163 – 12 th Century Early Agriculture and the Monasteries- Charlemagne Cloisters in NYC - Rockefellers
Symbolism of Walled Garden A pleasant and secure place, monasteries, religious zeal Reflection and Recreation Kitchen Garden outside the walls. Hospitals and Universities evolved from the monasteries. Plan of St. Gall- preserved in library at St. Gall Monastery
Italian City States- 16 th Century Naples, Papal;, Venice, Genoa, Florence, Milan Trade with the Middle East and through the Crusades Political Stability in Italian City States. Humanist Ideals Classical forms of education and inquiry- Theories, Hypothesis, Testing The Villa as an expression of Humanist Ideals The Medicis in power in Florence Epicenter of Florence as center of wool, cloth trade. The Villa Medicis at Careggi and Fiesole
Renaissance of Italian Villas and Gardens Vatican City Cortile Del Belvedere by Bramante, Villa D’Este, Tivoli Pirro Ligoro Cross axes of garden, view of Aniene River Water jets, fountains, music, sculpture Villa Lante, Bagnaia , Vignola was designer, along with Giacomo del Duca complements street, garden and park. Sylvia Crowe mentioned the progression of water from rustic quality at top to sophisticated as it is channelized and formed into jets and waterfalls at bottom. Progression of events in the garden
More Villas Villa Farnese, Caprarola, 1573 Baroque Architecture and water axis down mt. slope Palladian Villas in Venetian Republic- Year round climate, reclamation of agricultural lands Designer, Andrea Palladio- preeminent architecttr of Agrarian villa. Classic Roman architecture interpreted in 16 century. Elements of harmony, dovecotes, long arched loggias, stucco finish, temples and domes. Villa Rotunda, Vicenza
The Italian Piazza- City Square Height of Renaissance, trade, church, market, public All roads lead to Piazza Sense of arrival
Key Italian Piazzas Palazzo Vecchio over Piazza della Signoria Piazza del Campo- Siena by Bernini St. Peters Piazza di San Pietro by Bernini and Michangelo Piazza San Marco- world’s greatest outdoor space and shops Venice
Italian Villa/ Renaissance Landscape Design Principles AXIAL Symmetry Definition of Space Modulation Edges, Boundaries and walkways Transition using topography Harmony of Proportion, Scale, Balance and Focus. Baroque Garden Style and Architecture- 16 and 17 th Century