Picturesque: Celebrating Sublime Nature

But as advocates of the Picturesque style of beauty gained popularity, Repton’s work and his dedication to the Brownian style came under direct assault. Yet with every set back, the work this non-descript man produced became greater, more complex, and more profoundly charged. Indeed, the magnificent works of his last years—Endsleigh, Ashridge, and Woburn Abbey are among the survivors—are comparable to the best of Brown’s achievements and directly influenced the great American gardens.

The lecture is followed by a book signing and viewing of original 18^th-century garden books and manuscripts from the LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s historical collections.

Landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing was the leader of this movement, sparking a passion for landscape gardening among the burgeoning middle class. His successor Frederick Law Olmsted continued to execute this vision as he transformed the landscapes of urban cities across the country. The author of the newly published The History of Landscape Design in 100 Gardens, Linda A. Chisholm will show how the Picturesque style was the ideal expression of A. J. Downing’s and Olmsted’s values, interests, and commitments.

The lecture is followed by a book signing and viewing of original 18^th-century garden books and manuscripts from the LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s historical collections.