Edith Wharton's Italian Gardens
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.91 (681 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0821223976 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 192 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-01-03 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
A lifelong Italophile as well as a lifelong gardener herself, Wharton had an instinctive attraction to both the clipped precision and the sensuous disarray that characterize an Italian villa garden. It's a marvelous homage to Wharton and a must-read for all lovers of things Italian. The Villa Cetinale, pictured on the cover from the vantage point of its lemon garden, was singled out by Wharton for its charm and its long green park, marked by a 15th-century gateway at one end and a romitorio, or hermitage, at the other. She published the first serious treatment of Italian garden architecture, Italian Villas and Their Gardens, in 1904. Though most know her as the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of novels such as The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton was also something of a doyenne of domestic taste, and fortunately neither a nearsighted nor a parochial on
Her articles were published in 1904 as Italian Villas and their Gardens. Nearly 100 years later, photographer and writer Vivian Russell set out on her own odyssey, following Edith Wharton's footsteps around Italy to photograph the best surviving gardens from her book and to tell the story of how each one was made. One of the first books to treat the subject of Italian garden architecture seriously, it influenced a generation of garden writers and landscape architects. her lively text describes the patrons and architects who created the gardens and explores their hidden symbolic meaning.. She gathered her household together and set off with her husband, her housekeeper and her small dogs on a four-month tour of Italy. In 1903 Edith Wharton was commissioned by Century Magazine
Gorgeous photos of villa gardens in Lombardy, Florence, Siena, Veneto, and outside Rome. Absolutely gorgeous photos of villa gardens in Lombardy, Veneto, Florence, Siena, and around Rome. Text discusses the historical development of the gardens. Included are views of the gardens at Isola Bella, Villa d'Este in Lombardy, Padua Botanic Garden, Boboli Gardens, Villa d'Este outside Rome, and Villa Lante. I have read through the book several times--it is so enjoyable. All the photos are in color. Some of the texts include drawings or plans of the garden layouts.. "The book is beautifully photographed and information that is well written" according to Jerry LaDuke. Edith Wharton as a child went to Italy on family vacation and looked at gardens in Italy. She latter wrote books about gardens and other subjects. This is an update on her garden books and the losses of historical locations . The book is beautifully photographed and information that is well written. I have enjoyed reading this book. J l. "How wonderful to see what remains" according to P Abma. I had read the biography of Edith Wharton and was v. interested to see she had written books on gardening as well as travel around Europe. I purchased a copy of her 191How wonderful to see what remains I had read the biography of Edith Wharton and was v. interested to see she had written books on gardening as well as travel around Europe. I purchased a copy of her 1913 book but like Vivian Russell, wondered how much of the beautiful gardens remain today. Vivian's book filled with wonderful photos answers this question and is a very beautiful visit to today's Italy. Loved it.. book but like Vivian Russell, wondered how much of the beautiful gardens remain today. Vivian's book filled with wonderful photos answers this question and is a very beautiful visit to today's Italy. Loved it.