|
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
Capability Brown
|
|
(Lancelot Brown, 1716–83) Landscape gardener who acquired his familiar name because he assured so many prospective patrons that he could see capabilities in their estates. He became head gardener in 1741 at *Stowe, where William *Kent was creating a landscape more gentle and romantic than the formal patterns which had previously been in favour. Brown was inspired to set up on his own, from 1751, as an 'improver of grounds'.
|
|
|
|
In a career of unbroken success he improved more acres than any man before or since, transforming the parks of some 140 houses, of which *Blenheim was merely the grandest (others included *Badminton and *Burghley). Where Kent had relied on architectural features such as temples or ruins, the main ingredients of Brown's palette were dark clumps of trees and bright patches of water to give emphasis to the green contours of a park's own natural landscape. He worked also as an architect, sometimes in partnership with his son-in-law, Henry *Holland.
|
|
|
|