Religious iconography and topography in the garden art of Early Modern Europe. Sources, interpretation, cultural context.

Early Modern European gardens, particularly those of the Renaissance, Mannerism, and Baroque periods, were rich with moral themes and Christian symbols that shaped their design. This study identifies two distinct garden types: architectural (e.g., Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga) and landscaping (e.g., Bomarzo). It explores how these gardens served as symbolic barriers against Protestant lands and delves into the interplay between garden descriptions, such as Francesco de’ Vieri’s 1587 treatise on Pratolino, and inscriptions like those in Valsanzibio. The research integrates firsthand observations from fieldwork, supported by photographs, to analyze how moral programs in gardens can be studied within the broader context of religious history and ideas. Translations into Russian were provided by B. Sokolov.

Sokolov, B. M. (2024). Religious iconography and topography in the garden art of Early Modern Europe. Sources, interpretation, cultural context. Journal of Visual Theology, 6(1), 129–149. https://doi.org/10.34680/vistheo-2024-6-1-129-149