Ontwerpen voor tuin parterres 1731

Bernard Picart made these designs for garden parterres sometime around the turn of the 18th century, using ink on paper. The material qualities of the ink and paper lend themselves to precise, technical drawing, necessary for accurately depicting the complex geometric patterns. Each of the twelve designs is a study in controlled lines and shapes. Notice the contrast between the precision of the lines and the organic forms they create. This tension reflects the wider societal context of the time, when formal gardens were becoming increasingly popular among the elite as expressions of their wealth and power. These designs reflect a period of intense labour, where the planning and maintenance of elaborate gardens required a vast workforce. The designs, therefore, serve as a reminder of the social hierarchies and power structures of the era. By examining the materials and processes involved in this drawing, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural values embedded within it.