French Renaissance

he re-birth of humanity was completed during the 15th and 16th century. The new ideas of admiring human and nature influenced everything – all institutions, sciences and arts. And since it was Italy which first broke the chains of the medieval rejection of all delights derived from the material world, the new trend carrying humanistic and antique concepts was called Italianism. It gradually penetrated the culture of all European countries. 

Of course, France didn’t stand out of the current. As far as garden design is concerned, French aristocrats employed some of the best Italian architects to construct modern villas with parks for them. None of the gardens which were laid out at that time attained the design quality of their Italian models, though. The preferred forms of expression were square ornamental beds, strictly arranged pathways and rows of trees. All of them could be observed in the French Renaissance masterpiece gardens and parks (Amboise, Blois, Villandry, Fountainebleau, etc.). The 16th century in France was the time for transition and self-discovery in terms of garden design. It resulted in the unique style of French classicism. 

The Banks of the Marne (Villa on the Bank of a River)
Cezanne, Paul. 
Oil on canvas. 65.5x81.3 cm; France. Circa 1888 
State Museum of New Western Art, Moscow. 1930