Balthasar Nebot - Gardens of Hartwell House, Aylesbury - 1/8
One of a series of eight paintings by Balthasar Nebot (active 1729-1765) showing the spectacular garden landscape of Hartwell House, just outside Aylesbury, in 1738. This scene recalls the 18th century ideal of the countryside as an idyllic place, where peasants lived a purer, happier life than city dwellers. Notice the ha-ha, a clever arrangement of a wall set in a ditch that kept the animals out, whilst at the same time not interrupting the view of the landscape. The bowling green can be seen in front of the house and the topiary arcade to the right. The formal green architecture of topiary hedges, with classical stone temples and statues of gods and goddesses, was balanced by informal views towards the town. Sir Thomas Lee (1687-1749) of Hartwell commissioned the painting from Nebot, a little-known Spanish painter, based in Covent Garden. They provide a unique record of a country estate and garden landscape at this time. The people of Hartwell - family, visitors, household and estate staff and, especially the gardeners - are also portrayed in great detail
