96 



THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 



on Plate 69. The parterre is divided into sixteen compartments, in four of which the Papal arms 

 are worked in cut box; an immense basin and fountain occupy the centre. The labour involved 

 in levelling such a large area was an immense undertaking. Upon the side nearest St. Peter's is 

 an entrance gateway, with wrought-iron gate of graceful design and proportion, and beyond an 



alley leads to the oval courtyard before the 

 exquisite little garden residence built for 

 Pius IV. in 1560 by the Neapolitan architect 



Pirro Ligorio. It lies somewhat in a hollow, 

 and is said to have been built in imitation 



of the ancient villas, of which Ligorio is 

 reported to have made a special study. He 

 came from a distinguished family, and his 

 antiquarian studies drew him to Rome at 

 a time when so many old ruins were being 

 brought to light. He was recommended to 

 the Pope as one of the architects worthy 

 of being employed at St. Peter's, but the 

 only work he is known to have executed 

 there is the mausoleum of Paul IV. But 

 he was entrusted with the architecture of 

 this little garden casino. On Plate 68 

 we give a plan and section of the casino. 

 An open portico overlooks a small pool, 

 where gold and silver fish dart fascinatingly 

 about among the mossy reeds ; on either 

 side a ramp leads to the two exquisite little 

 porches shown upon Plates 70 and 72 ; these 

 are paved with different coloured marbles and cleverly decorated with stucco and pebble work. 

 Through the porches we enter the open courtyard in front of the casino. This is paved with 

 two-coloured stones, and surrounded by a low boundary wall with vases and cacti ; a seat runs 

 almost entirely round the court. In the centre is a fountain designed by Gio. Vasanzio, called 

 II Fiammingo; two little groups of children mounted on dolphins occupy either end (see 

 Plate 71). 



The hillside rises abruptly behind the casino, and into this hillside a deep area has 

 been cut to surround the building and render it impervious to damp. The whole of the exterior 

 of the casino is covered with exquisite and varied stucco ornamentation, frescoes and mosaics, 

 carried out by a band of excellent artists under the direction of Marc Antonio Amulio, a Venetian 

 who, in 1 56 1, was decorated by Pope Pius IV. for his services. 



V\TIO\N * ENTRANCE TO PARTERRE 



