Balthasar Nebot - Gardens of Hartwell House, Aylesbury - 4/8
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 view looks out from the octagon pavilion and across the octagon pond to Aylesbury. The tower of St Mary's church can be clearly seen rising above the cluster of houses. Gentry are dressed to go riding whilst others stroll through the topiary arcades or around the long canal. The house can be seen 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
