Capability Brown and the Eighteenth-Century English Landscape

by Roger Turner

The idyllic landscapes which surround so many of the great country houses in Great Britain seem to be native English landscape at its best; yet they are not some lucky accident of nature but the result of careful planning, perfect taste, and a vast amount of groundwork and planting, shaped by one man’s vision. This important work first appeared in 1985 and since then the author has revised the text and updated the Gazetteer. For those whose interests lie in understanding the history of gardening, landscape design or 18th-century society there is much to be found here, but equally this book will sharpen the appreciation of Brown’s work for all those who have visited his estates an enjoyed his enduring achievements.

Genres: History

204 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This large-sized book -- half-way to coffee table size -- is a biography of Brown, the English garden movement, and the landscapes he crafted around so many great country houses in Great Britain. This edition includes revised the text and an updated "Gazetteer" that augments some interesting material about Brown's work on a property and its later state up to the author's time. I did not know much of Brown other than the name and the landscaping career, so it was eye-opening to read of how impactful and how high profile he was. For instance, I had figured "Capability" was an 18th Century name such as "Increase Mather", but here I learned it was an appellation applied to Lancelot Brown for his reputation for reliability and accomplishment. Also, it was interesting to learn part of his success was due to the disposable income rife in the first three-quarters of the 18th Century under the successful mercantile economy of colony-ruling Great Britain.

Part of the appeal of this books is the 80 plates of plan drawings, painting reproductions, illustrations, and more. I think my favorite is on the back cover: a very candid depiction of Brown in a painting by Nathaniel Dance.