The gardens of Versailles demonstrate control through design. Le Notre uses symmetry, highly manicured elements, monumental scale, and axes to infinity. Through these elements the king shows his power and wealth. Is this beautiful? Louis definitely believed it was. Louis was nicknamed the “sun king” and therefore iconic solar elements are incorporated into the garden. Apollo, the god of sun and light is also seen throughout the design. I guess Louis believed he was equal with Apollo.
Here is a plan view of the gardens.
Today, Versailles is one of the most frequently visited sites in France and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its importance stems from its impact on the history of design. I have visited the chateau during my semester abroad and the vastness and control of the garden is actually quite beautiful and stunning. It is hard to believe that humans created such a unique and intricate piece of art.
Some of the class may be thinking that this highly manicured, vast garden is not beautiful and the natural landscape is more pleasing. However, many landscape architects are so talented that their “control” over the landscape creates a view that appears untouched by man. The work of A. E. Bye (PSU alum) is a great example. If you claim that a man-made landscape is not beautiful, is this beautiful even though it only appears natural?
Here are example of A. E. Bye's landscapes. Would you be able to tell it was man-made?
I think those four pictures above fall into a completely different category of beauty. I mean, yeah sure Versailles is beautiful somewhat, but again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people really love the look and feeling the forests give them.The reason why I, and maybe some others, wouldn't find a man-made object as appealing is because of the order. Some people like more abstract things, and I believe there was something said in class to the effect of "the forests have no straight lines." That states it perfectly. We are surrounded by order all day with the houses and landscaping all around us. It's nice to escape that order. To answer your question: no, I really wouldn't have been able to tell those things were man-made. It's hard to see exactly what they are, but from what i can see, all of them, except for the first, look like something you find just walking through the woods.
ReplyDelete