The Italian Formal Garden 



■ AIR OF PLAYFUL CAPRICE' 



Fountain of the Goblet' 



Villa Farnese at Caprarola 



Coming down to specific details, the following features 

 deserve special attention : 



First, the terracing of the Italian gardens is worthy of care- 

 ful studv. Originating in the preference for sloping sites by 

 means of which successive and differing prospects are secured 

 from the various levels, without interference of one with the 

 other, it became a means of admirable effects within the gar- 

 den itself. With its stairs, niches, grottoes, pilasters and balus- 

 trades, it was studied, proportioned and arranged with great 

 care, and usually with great success. An instructive contrast 

 in the treatment of the terraces appears between the abruptly 

 sloping Villa d'Este at Tivoli, and the nearly level V'illa Albani 

 or the Ouirinal Gardens at Rome. 



Secondly, tlie decorations of arcliitecture and scnlpture. 

 The judicious arrangement, distribution, and scale and balance 

 of the architecture have been noticed alreadv, and its predomi- 

 nantly decorative and festal character alluded to. This air of 



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