Review: ‘The Artist’s Garden’ by Jackie Bennett

Ahead of her visit to the 2019 Cheltenham Literature Festival, I’ve been leafing through ‘The Artist’s Garden’ by Jackie Bennett.

In her latest book, Jackie Bennett explores the relationship between art and gardens from Monet’s waterlily-filled pond to the vibrant Mexican garden of Frida Kahlo.

That plants and flowers inspire art is nothing new but the book shows how the gardens were more than just a natural muse.

(I was given a copy of ‘The Artist’s Garden’ to review.)

Leonardo da Vinci planned to produce a herbal and his sketchbooks contained detailed botanical drawings. Had he completed the project it would have been one of the first herbals in Western Europe.

Henri Le Sidaner created a white garden long before one was made at Sissinghurst as one of many colour-themed areas at his home in northern France, while Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky grew flowers, fruit and vegetables at Murnau in Bavaria.

“They talked constantly and drew sketches of how the garden would look, and later kept logbooks of what they sowed and planted as it developed,” we are told.

The book divides into artists who largely worked alone, such as Dalí, Renoir and Rubens, and artistic communities. These include Monet and his friends, and the Charleston group that included Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.

Arts and Crafts designer William Morris found inspiration in the plants at Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire. Willows by the river appeared in his work and the honeysuckle over the porch may have been the basis for Honeysuckle Wallpaper designed by his daughter, May.

Ranging across many countries and encompassing artists from Europe, America and Scandinavia, The Artist’s Garden is well illustrated with both the work of the artists covered and photographs of their gardens, many of which have been restored. All are open to the public and an appendix gives details.

The Artist’s Garden, The secret spaces that inspired great art, by Jackie Bennett is published by White Lion Publishing on October 29, priced at £30.

Jackie will be talking about the book at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Friday October 11, 2019. Details here.

Picture at top of post: Jas de Bouffan, Cézanne’s family home in Aix-en-Provence.

You can read previous book reviews here.

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