IAN SWANKIE

This talk looks at the work of André le Nôtre, royal gardener to Louis XIV and the magnificent gardens he created for the ‘Sun King ’ at Versailles. We examine the laying out of the formal terraces, the great tree-lined walks and the vast expanses of water. Jane will discuss the glorification of the King through the iconography of the statues and great fountain groups and the importance of playing water to make the gardens come alive. We will also see the extravagant entertainments that took place within the grounds, and the summer houses and pleasure pavilions where the King was able to escape from the thronging crowds.

Jane Gardiner

Jane has lectured for us previously with enlightening talks about glass in art, and also on Chinoiserie. Her presentations are beautifully illustrated and her knowledge is immpressive. She has an MA in History of Art, then trained at the V&A and continues to lecture there, and was a Deputy Director of Sotheby's. Jane also lectures for the National Trust, the Art Fund, London University, Buckingham University, l'Institut d'Etudes Superieures des Arts in Paris, a private women's college in Saudi Arabia, on cruise ships and at antiques fairs and interior design conferences in America.