The Italian Renaissance was defined by a radical change in thinking which altered almost every aspect of Italian culture including the arts, literature, music, education, and religion. The Italian Renaissance started with Francesco Petrarch and his rediscovery of old Latin manuscripts (Lang, 2006). This led to the rediscovery of humanist thinking based off these old manuscripts. During the Renaissance, humanist thinking referred to an individual who read the ancients in order to have a greater depth of understanding about human experiences and the mind of God (Lang, 2006). Man was now thought of as a rational and sentient being, with enough autonomy to think and make decisions for himself. This fact led to a reevaluation of man’s relationship with God and nature, and ultimately had an extreme effect on Italian Renaissance gardens.

                      The new gardens of the Italian Renaissance began taking a more expansive and outwardly looking view, instead of being more inwardly focused and contained. This new garden form relied on geometric divisions connected by one common axis and joined by axial unity with the villas that they shaped. Beyond the general formation of Italian Renaissance gardens, they served the function of providing leisure, entertainment, and the display of wealth and power (Italian Renaissance Villas and Gardens, 2016). Water features were extremely important to the grandiosity of the gardens. Furthermore, sculptures played a pivotal role in decorating and displaying the power of the garden and the owner.

                      The change in style of the Italian Renaissance gardens is directly attributable to the rediscovery of humanist thinking as the gardens reflected man’s ability to display their wealth and power through nature, while also maintaining an important relationship with God.

This link relates well to the Italian Renaissance gardens as it has pictures of above views of Renaissance gardens as well as also pictures of water features and sculptures that were pivotal to the prestige of the garden. http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/library_online_ebooks/ml_gothein_history_garden_art_design/early_baroque_gardens_italy

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this photo shows the division of geometric shapes within the garden as well as the central water feature.

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this photo of an Italian Renaissance garden also shows the use of geometric figures. Furthermore, it really captures the outwardly looking view. Also, shows the axial unity of the garden.

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This image of the Chateau Villandry captures the expansiveness and ouwardly view of the garden. It also shows the garden maze. A true display of wealth and power.

sources for photos:

1. http://perryfoundation.org.nz/hamilton-gardens-windows-to-the-past/

2. http://www.ctrlzak.com/archive/SP_Topiaria.html

3. https://loirechateau.wikispaces.com/Chateau+de+Villandry

                     

References:

Lang, Sean. European History for Dummies: Part IV New Ideas, New Worlds. Chichester, England: John Wiley, 2006. Print.

"Italian Renaissance Villas and Gardens." Victoria and Albert Museum: The World's Leading Museum of Art and Design. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.

The Meaning of the Term Garden to Me

what does the term 'garden' mean to you?

The first thought invoked by the word garden is of my grandfather. The reasoning for this is that I previously formed an association between him and gardening because that was his passion after he retired from the military. I did not know my grandfather on a very personal level, but I believe gardening offered him a sense of tranquility and serenity after he had served in the American Navy during World War II. I remember walking through his garden after he passed away and being in awe of the intertwining paths throughout the garden and also the neatness and elegance in which the flowers and plants were arranged. The garden presented a clear image of plants that were closely tended and cared for. Beyond tranquility, his garden had a practical sense as he often brought in fresh vegetables for dinner. Overall, the word garden in itself does not hold much meaning for me, but the associations it has with my grandfather reveal its significance in the fact that it is a way for me to connect with someone I really did not know. My grandfathers garden served as a defining feature of his hobbies and personality, as the organized, methodical, serene, and calm aspects of his garden are representative of what I heard about his personality.

I also see the impact my grandfather’s gardening had on my father, as my father often grows plants within our house. I think this factor is interesting as it shows how gardening in some cases can be an inherited feature, which may be something that I inherit from my father.

Within myself, the word garden invokes words such as serenity and peacefulness. However, it also invokes words such as tiresome and maintenance. I think this factor is imperative because to reach the a serene and peaceful garden it requires non-stop effort, constant attention, and reflection, which are  similar to the methods necessary to reach contentment and peace within oneself.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/lessons-from-my-grandfather-in-the-garden/

This link is to a relevant blog post by Trent Hamm in which he lists off the five things he learned due to his grandfather’s garden, which I think relates quite well to the things that the word garden inspires in me.

photos of relevent gardens:

The first photo reminds me of the pathway in my grandfather’s garden. The second photo reminds me of some of the water features in my grandfather’s garden. The third photo reminds me of some of the vegetation spotted in my grandfather’s garden.
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sources:
1. http://hubpages.com/entertainment/Small-Paths-in-Gardens-Gallery-Take-a-Stroll-with-Me
2. http://epoke-conseil.com/PoisonousEvergreen/evergreens-new-england
3. http://onbotanicalphotography.blogspot.dk/2011/04/visit-to-parc-tenbosch-brussels.html