Friday, May 2, 2014

Citing examples, define and describe the character, form and contents of the Arts and Crafts garden created by the Gertrude Jekyll & Edwin Lutyens partnership.

As the battle of the styles came to a head, two crucial characters, Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, formed an alliance that would come to define the arts and crafts movement. The arts and crafts movement began out of a desire to move away from traditional Victorian style bedding, as well as the harsh concrete and noisy environment that arose from industrialization, and take on a more naturalistic approach, while still maintaining a high level of craftsmanship. Gertrude Jekyll, being a horticulturalist, brought in a knowledge and understanding of plants, that when tied with Lutyens’ architectural craftsmanship, created a truly unique garden.

Gertrude Jekyll grew up in London with a home garden that inspired her to become the influential garden designer that she eventually became. Trained as a painter, Jekyll had a deep understanding of color that allowed to her excel in studying and planting flowers. She also disliked noise, and preferred that her gardens be surrounded by more natural, woodland areas.

Edwin Lutyens grew up sketching and drawing, and spent a lot of time wandering his childhood home and sketching the landscape. Later on in life, Lutyens became known as the greatest British architect, and specialized in interiors, exteriors, and gardens.


One of the famous collaborations between Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens was the Hestercombe house in Somerset, England. Hestercombe house is known for the bold, concise pattern of the layout, as provided by Lutyens, as well as the minute attention to detail that Jekyll brought to the partnership. The garden is also known for using contrasting materials, a sunken parterre, a water garden, and a large pergola. The perfect mixture between wild and structured, manicured and natural, this garden truly defines the arts and crafts movement. 

http://www.gardenvisit.com/assets/madge/hestercombe_gardens_somerset/384x/hestercombe_gardens_somerset_384x.jpg




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