Artists Magazine - USA (2020-04)

ArtistsNetwork.com 41

paintings,wasa focalpointatGiverny.ÉdouardManet
(French,1832–83),a moreurban-orientedfriendofthe
artist’s,paintedsomeofthemostlusciousflowersdepicted
oncanvas,thankstohisaccesstohisfriend’sgarden.Before
settlinginGiverny,Monetlivedwithhisyoungfamilyin
Argenteuil.Itwasthere,in1874,thatManetpaintedThe
MonetFamilyinTheirGardenatArgenteuil(page42).
AlthoughthelifeofVincentvanGogh(1853–90)wasn’t
settledenoughforhimtomaintaina garden,hejoinedhis
peersinpaintingenpleinair.HeadmiredCharles-François
Daubigny(French,1817–78),a Barbizonschoolartistwho
kepta garden.AfterDaubignydied,vanGoghspenttimeat
theartist’shomeandpaintedhisoutdoorspace.Later,dur-
inghishospitalization,vanGoghwouldwanderthegardens
oftheSaint-Paul-de-Mausoleasylum.Theartist’sbrilliant
colorandswirlingbrushstrokespairedbeautifullywiththe
gardenasanever-changingsubjectmatter.

TRANSFORMING NATURE

As with Monet’s garden at Giverny, tourists can still visit

the garden of Surrealist icon Salvador Dalí (Spanish,

1904–89) at Casa Salvador Dalí, Portlligat, Spain. Dalí

included the sound of splashing water from the many foun-

tains in his concept when he designed the twisting, terraced

stone walls leading to bizarre sculptures. The design of the

garden reflects the unique style of Dalí’s wildly inventive

paintings and bears his unmistakable hand.

Images of another Hispanic artist, the self-taught and

much-loved Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907–54), are prevalent

in Mexico City. Sometimes described as a Surrealist or magi-

cal realist, even though her work draws little comparison

to Dalí, she did draw inspiration from her garden. Kahlo

was born in La Casa Azul, a brilliant, blue-walled house

and garden courtyard in Coyoacán, where she also lived for

The Garden of the
Hesperides
by Frederic Leighton
oil on canvas, diameter
of 66½ -inches
1913: PURCHASED AT CHRISTIE’S