Partner Property
Pope’s Grotto: Find out more about Pope’s Grotto, or visit their website.
About the talk
The English Landscape tradition has been described as Britain’s greatest contribution to the arts. The early eighteenth century was pivotal in the evolution of the English garden and many of our current perceptions of landscape stem from eighteenth-century theory and practice.
Alexander Pope was the principal literary genius of his day and the leading poet of his generation. He was considered something of a pioneer in the landscape movement with his Guardian essay of 1713 playing a critical role in the transition from emblematic to expressive garden design. His influence was critical, advocating ‘the simplicity of the ancients’ encapsulated in his poetic line to: ‘Consult the Genius of the Place in all.’ He was fundamental in establishing the new national style that came to be known as ‘English Garden Style’, which we explore through his own garden at Twickenham and through other gardens he influenced.
About the speaker
Dr Marion Harney is Director of Studies and Director of Teaching at the University of Bath specialising in the history and theory of historic buildings, designed and cultural landscapes and their conservation. Appointed to ICOMOS-UK Cultural Landscapes and Historic Gardens Committee she is a Director of the Gardens Trust and Trustee at Hestercombe Gardens Trust. Her book, Place-Making for the Imagination: Horace Walpole and Strawberry Hill, won the prestigious international J.B. Jackson Book Prize, which recognises books that have made significant contributions to the study and understanding of garden history and landscape studies, awarded by The Foundation for Landscape Studies, New York. Appointed Visiting Professor, University of Westminster, she is also External Examiner for the MA in Garden and Landscape History, Institute for Historical Research, University of London.