Balthasar Nebot - Gardens of Hartwell House, Aylesbury - 8/8

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 was painted from the steps in front of the menagerie looking down towards the long canal. The topiary arcades create views down to the long canal and Aylesbury beyond, the rusticated arch with a view through to the medieval church of Stoke Mandeville to the right and a glimpse of the octagon pond to the left. 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

1730s 1738 Arcade Arcades Aylesbury Balthasar Collecting Gardener Gardeners Hartwell Hedges Landscaped Mandeville Nebot Octagon Paths Pathways Rake Raking Rusticated Stoke Topiary

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