The Modern Garden

by Jane Brown

In an ongoing search to carve their unique visions from the natural world, the artists and architects of the twentieth century have transformed both our physical landscapes and the way we perceive outdoor space. This quest for harmony between the natural and the manmade has yielded some of the most spectacular gardens ever created. The Modern Garden is the first fully illustrated overview of the great gardens of the 20th century. It portrays hundreds of gardens, from the works of Geoffrey Jellicoe to Roberto Burle Marx, Russell Page to Dan Kiley, Isamu Noguchi to Richard Haag, created throughout the century and around the world. Twelve "masterwork" gardens are explored in special detail; photographed in spectacular color and supplemented by never-before-seen historical images, they come alive in this beautifully produced volume. Masterwork gardens Guevrekian's Hyeres, France; Ludwig Gerns garden, Germany; Geoffrey Jellicoe garden, London; Fletcher Steele, Naumkeag, Massachusetts; Dan Kiley, Miller House, Indiana; Walter Gropius at home, Massachusetts; Mien Ruys, Dedmsvaart Garden, the Netherlands; Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil; Pietro Porcinai, Villa Il rosetto, Italy; Russell Page, Villa Silvio Pellico, Italy; Arne Jacobsen,St. Catherine's College England; Isamu Noguchi, the California Scenario.

Genres: Architecture

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book is candy for your eye, most private homeowners and gardeners looking for inspiration for a "modern" style garden will be disappointed by Jane Browns' "The Modern Garden". Published by Princeton Architectural Press, this book is more of a textbook covering the evolution of garden design as influenced by modern artists like Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee, and architects such as "Le Corbusier, Oud, Rietveld, Mendelsohn". The book is laid out chronologically and divided in several eras with architects and garden designers discussed in detail, and associated "masterworks" presented with photographs, layouts and illustrations. While valuable for an architect or garden design professional, this book is insufficient for homeowners and gardeners as the gardens presented are generally large commercial customers, parks, or very wealthy estates. Modern garden design relies on strong bold garden structures which are expensive and often out of reach for home gardeners. Specific plant selection is rarely mentioned and primarily only in one two-page spread using all Latin plant names. Jane Brown provides hints at general design concepts, but does not lay them out clearly for the amateur. Overall if you are a fan of modernism and are looking for some design inspiration, I recommend this book-just keep your expectations in check.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiration for your garden, lots of pictures.