Summary

Born in 1900, Geoffrey Jellicoe's working life spans virtually all the main developments in landscape and garden design of the 20th century; this thoughtful study of his contributions to these disciplines reveals the origins and forms of his genius. Influences on his work have ranged from the writings of ancient Greeks to those of Carl Jung, and from classical art to Jackson Pollock, and these, together with his own particular vision, have given Jellicoe's work an individuality and style that is internationally recognised. While the significance of the worlds of art and ideas concerning the way man handles landscape can never be underestimated, in the work of Geoffrey Jellicoe we can see such interaction heightened to a thought-provoking level where we not only appreciate his work, but also question our own attitudes to our surroundings. The author, himself an architect, records Jellicoe's education at the Architectural Association, and his early days in Italy with fellow architectural student Jock Shepherd which resulted in 1925 in the seminal work Italian Gardens of the Renaissance. Spens then traces architecture to landscape design, as illustrated by his work, first at Cheddar Gorge and then at Ditchley Park. Through discussion of private garden commissions, such as those at Shute House and Sutton Place, and public projects like the renowned Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, the Cheltenham and Turin sports complexes, and the monumental plans for the Moody Historical Gardens at Galveston, Texas, the author assesses Jellicoe's approach to the individual project and its existing landscape, and examines the symbolism and varied influences behind his thinking. This book is unique as the first detailed study to explore the genius of a world-famous master in this field. It is essential reading for those interested in the history of landscape architecture in the 20th century, and for all students of the theory and practice of landscape and garden design. 94 colour & 155 b/w illustrations