Hosted by the Southeast Chapter
This week we will explore two Mannerist style gardens located north of Rome, Villa Lante in Bagnaia and the Sacro Bosco (Sacred Wood) or more commonly known as Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters) outside of the village of Bormazo. Both gardens were created in the mid-16th century but are in dramatic contrast in their execution.
The Villa Lante gardens were originally created for Cardinal Gambera in 1566; the Lante family became owners in 1622. The design is attributed to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. Amid its cascading terraces you will find an abundance of fountains, statuary, a water chain, an elaborate parterre, and grottoes, many referencing classical mythology. One of its most famous features is the Cardinal’s dining table with a water trough that runs the length of the table and is said to have been used to chill wine.
In 1552, Prince Vicino Orsini created a very different garden at his villa in Bormarzo, the Sacro Bosco. Architect Pirro Logorio is credited with the garden design. The 35 sculptures are attributed to Simone Moschino. Orsini and Logorio developed an idiosyncratic play land laid out in a random style rather than the strict precision of a Renaissance-era park. He filled it with fantastical stone creatures in the shapes of exotic animals and mythological figures. Many of the sculptures are carved from “live stone” as it was found in the natural landscape.
~The Process~
Reference images will be provided each Wednesday for the selected building. Sketch during the week or over the weekend.
Use any media or technique of your choice. Have fun and experiment. All are welcome to participate, especially children and students of any age.
Forward a JPG file of your sketch to [email protected] by Monday noon following the sketch date and we will post to the ICAA Southeast Instagram account on Monday afternoon. Please include your Instagram handle in order to tag your sketch.
Post to your own Instagram account using #icaasoutheast #graphiteandgrits #connectingthroughsketching #classicalarchitecture