Overview

Explores the origins and evolution of Georgian landscape architecture, a period of innovative and diverse garden structures in which some of the era’s greatest architects experimented with different forms, styles, and new technology The invention and evolution of the Georgian landscape garden liberated garden buildings from the corset of formality, allowing them to structure much more extensive areas of garden and park. One of the leading authorities on Georgian landscape architecture, Roger White explores a genre in which some of the era’s greatest architects experimented with different forms, styles, and new technology. Covering not just the obvious adornments of parks and gardens such as temples, summerhouses, grottoes, towers and “follies,” the book also explores structures with predominantly practical functions including mausolea, boathouses, dovecotes, stables, kennels, deer pens, barns, and cowsheds, all of which could be dressed up to make an architectural impact. White examines these structures not only architecturally but from a functional and cultural viewpoint, considering questions of stylistic origins and development. Focussing on the contributions of Britain’s leading eighteenth-century architects—Vanbrugh, Hawksmoor, Gibbs, Kent, Adam, Chambers, Wyatt, and Soane—Georgian Arcadia provides a richly illustrated account of a period of innovative and diverse garden building.

Full Product Details

9780300249958

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book thus represents the life's work of a doyen, and it shows. White convinces utterly in his thesis. -Iona McLaren, The Telegraph Scholarly yet approachable-and lavishly illustrated with 290 colour plates and black-and-white illustrations-this is a title for enthusiasts as much as experts. -INIGO An architectural historian and authority . . . [White has] produced a synthesis of this most alluring topic. The result is a richly illustrated volume, one that merits our attention. -Timothy Mowl, Country Life

“This book thus represents the life’s work of a doyen, and it shows. White convinces utterly in his thesis.”—Iona McLaren, The Telegraph “Scholarly yet approachable—and lavishly illustrated with 290 colour plates and black-and-white illustrations—this is a title for enthusiasts as much as experts.”—INIGO “An architectural historian and authority . . . [White has] produced a synthesis of this most alluring topic. The result is a richly illustrated volume, one that merits our attention.”—Timothy Mowl, Country Life “Wherever you turn in Georgian Arcadia, you’re confronted with ruins, follies and eyecatchers—the richest, most varied collection of beautiful and bizarre structures that you’re ever likely to meet.”—Adrian Tinniswood, The Critic “Yale have brought out [this] current tome, packed with a lifetime’s thought and observation. It’s a milestone.”—Clive Aslet, Oldie “Roger has had a long fascination with this subject and this richly illustrated book is the result. It is highly readable and informative, and also enjoyed encyclopaedic.”—Jeremy Musson, House & Garden “Written by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable expert who successfully manages to transmit his enthusiasm and make his knowledge accessible to the more general reader.”—Sally Jeffery, Garden History “[A] magisterial survey of Georgian landscape buildings. . . . Georgian Arcadia is an important book, but it is also an entertaining one.”—Adrian Tinniswood, The Critic “White is an opinionated, amusing guide to the architectural follies—and aristocratic folly—of 18th-century British garden design.”—Iona McLaren, The Telegraph, Summer reading list “This excellent book has taken many years in its making and explores the origins and evolution of Georgian landscape architecture. It contains 290 glorious colour and black & white illustrations.”—JK, Follies Magazine

“This book thus represents the life’s work of a doyen, and it shows. White convinces utterly in his thesis.” —Iona McLaren, The Telegraph “Scholarly yet approachable—and lavishly illustrated with 290 colour plates and black-and-white illustrations—this is a title for enthusiasts as much as experts.”—INIGO “An architectural historian and authority . . . [White has] produced a synthesis of this most alluring topic. The result is a richly illustrated volume, one that merits our attention.”—Timothy Mowl, Country Life “Wherever you turn in Georgian Arcadia, you’re confronted with ruins, follies and eyecatchers — the richest, most varied collection of beautiful and bizarre structures that you’re ever likely to meet.” —Adrian Tinniswood, The Critic “[A] magisterial survey of Georgian landscape buildings… Georgian Arcadia is an important book, but it is also an entertaining one.” —Adrian Tinniswood, The Critic  

This book thus represents the life's work of a doyen, and it shows. White convinces utterly in his thesis -Iona McLaren, The Telegraph Scholarly yet approachable - and lavishly illustrated with 290 colour plates and black-and-white illustrations - this is a title for enthusiasts as much as experts. -INIGO, March 2023

Author Information

Roger White is an architectural historian specialising in the Georgian period. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and has been Secretary of both the Georgian Group and the Garden History Society.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available