Gardens

The garden was the locus amoenus – a place of pleasure, health and retreat – something that was essential in crowded, intense early modern courts. Evolving from the medieval pleasaunce and shaped by a growing understanding of ancient Roman architecture and culture, the garden was seen as a status symbol that complemented the house both aesthetically and iconographically. The garden increasingly became a place for display, propaganda and lavish entertainment. Typically it was in Italy that the first steps towards integrating house and garden were taken, with the Medici and others engaging the most important architects to create unified settings. Other European courts quickly followed Italian models but with modifications based on terrain and cultural interests.