107-263 Visions of Paradise: Art of the Garden

Usually 25 points of first-year art history, see Prerequisites or architectural history.

This subject surveys the history of gardens from an art historical perspective from the medieval period to the present, with particular emphasis on the 18th to 20th centuries. Areas considered include the gardens of Islam and medieval European gardens, the gardens of Renaissance and baroque Italy, the French formal garden (Le Nôtre), the gardens of China, the English picturesque garden, 19th century gardens, the arts and crafts garden (Jekyll, Walling), and contemporary gardens in Australia and overseas. The subject examines garden architecture and design, the role of horticulture, the formal versus the informal garden, the garden as the site of the display of public power and private amusement, the social history of gardens, women and gardens, the spatial experience of gardens, the ways in which gardens are represented in art, and the garden as spectacle. Students who complete this subject will have developed an understanding of the principles and methods of garden history.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge in an intelligent and economical way through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, essays, assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

An exercise of 1500 words 35% (due during the semester) and an essay of 2500 words 65% (during the examination period). It is a hurdle requirement of this subject that students attend 75% of tutorials in order to receive an assessment for this subject.

A subject reader will be available.