Principles of the French Garden in the Czech Garden Design

Abstract

The French garden of the 17th and 18th century as the ultimate artistic expression of ideas about the world order and the representation of power and knowledge was not limited to its country of origin – its influence spread and appeared all over Europe. The following text focuses on its reflection in the territory of the Czech Republic and follows the ways the main principles of this form of garden design took. Besides the traditionally dominant artistic influence of Italy, the French art was reflected only gradually, and above all, indirectly. Activities of Le Nôtre’s disciples have been proven, but without any more detailed documentation. Moravia was most influenced by Vienna, where the imperial and other aristocratic gardens adopted more ornate, smaller and flatter concept of French forms, rather approaching Rococo. The paper shows, using specific examples and the comparative method, what forms typical of the French garden appear in the gardens of the Czech lands the most frequently. The characteristic organization of the garden and wider spaces by axes, avenues, radial divisions, water mirrors and canals as well as magnificent water elements with sculptures and also widely applied flat parterres with ornamental flower beds is explored. On the other hand, the complexity of the French prototype, which lies in the spatial monumentality and sophisticated use of optical rules and rules of perspective, is missing.