WHATELY, Thomas.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Observations on Modern Gardening, and Laying out Pleasure-Grounds, Parks, Farms, Ridings &c. First illustrated edition of "the most comprehensive work on the theory of landscape design... before the time of Humphrey Repton" (Henrey, p. 509). The finely executed engravings are after drawings by the prominent English draughtsman William Woollett and depict several gardens discussed in the text.Published anonymously, with notes by Horace Walpole, this work by Thomas Whately (1726-1772) contends that landscape gardening is an art akin to, and even superior to, painting. Whately was the foremost early proponent of the English or "natural" style, which promoted a wilderness-like garden over traditional geometric designs. Observations on Modern Gardening was originally published in 1770 and enjoyed widespread popularity. It ran to seven editions in London and Dublin and was translated into French and German, as well as being pirated in France around 1779. Woollett (1735-1785) was appointed Historical Engraver to His Majesty by George III in 1775.

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