I. Tiebout Estate c. 1936

Meyer Goldbaum created this estate plan in watercolor and graphite, presenting an idealized vision of domesticity. The garden layout is particularly striking, resembling patterns found in ancient Roman mosaics. The structured garden, divided into geometric shapes, echoes the formal gardens of Versailles, reflecting a desire to impose order on nature. These shapes are potent symbols. The square, here framing quadrants of flora, represents stability and the earthly realm, a concept stretching back to antiquity. Consider how similar patterns appear in Persian carpets, each section telling a story, or in the layout of medieval cities, where the quadrant symbolizes the four rivers of paradise. Over time, the meaning of these divisions has evolved from sacred to secular, yet the underlying desire for harmony remains. The symmetrical balance of the composition speaks to a deep-seated human yearning for equilibrium. It is an arrangement that engages us on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of calm. This motif of order has resurfaced and adapted, attesting to its enduring appeal.