The major exhibition 2023 was about how mythical and real gardens have been depicted in art, but also about how art has left its mark on gardens, from the Middle Ages until today. Visitors could see more than 300 objects – paintings, drawings, applied art and sculpture –by artists such as Rembrandt, Watteau, Le Nôtre, Monet, Renoir, Carl Larsson and by contemporaries such as Peter Frie and Emma Helle.
Carl Larsson, The Vine, 1884. Watercolour.
Julia Beck, Autumn Day, 1883. Oil on canvas.
David von Cöln, Cokatoo, Parrot and Java Sparrows, 1733. Oil on canvas.
Jan Brueghel the elder, Still Life with Flowers and Insects c. 1620. Oil on wood.
The garden – a status symbol
We humans have always been fascinated by gardens. They have served as parade grounds at royal castles and mansions by those in power. Being able to present exotic plants in the garden was almost as important as building an extensive collection of naturalia, artificialia and scientifica. Pavilions and boathouses were built, labyrinths and ruins were designed, and sculptures, fountains, urns and furniture were placed to create a holistic experience where the visitor could meet nature in a structured fashion. The theory of garden art and garden literature also saw the light of day.
Fruit and vegetables as motifs and food
Garden views became a natural motif for artists. Even individual flowers, fruits and other plants that aroused pride and admiration, such as pumpkins, asparagus, lemon or pineapple, could, for example, end up on the artist’s canvas. But gardens have also been important from an everyday perspective. Being able to grow carrots and potatoes or herbs has contributed to people’s well-being in a very tangible way.
A place for utility and dreaming
Today, in an increasingly worrying global context, the garden once again has a great role to play, both in terms of its utility and as a place for dreaming. A garden is just as much a physical place as it is part of our imaginary world.
An exhibition for all the senses
This exhibition showed how gardens have inspired us throughout the centuries, from the Middle Ages to the present day and how gardens can really appeal to all our senses. The exhibition featured more than 300 objects – paintings, drawings, applied art and sculpture – most of them from the Swedish National Museum’s collections. Among the artists were names such as Rembrandt, Watteau, Le Nôtre, Monet, Renoir and Carl Larsson. Peter Frie and Emma Helle were invited to contribute contemporary commentary to the garden.
Image-rich catalogue
A comprehensive catalogue will be published for the exhibition. With just over 300 pages, as many pictures and many interesting articles, it is given reading for both art and garden enthusiasts.