The Italy of Gardens

On the occasion of the publication by Editions Ulmer of the book entitled “L’Italie des Jardins”, a conference followed by a signing session will offer a presentation of the work and the choices that provided the common denominator in this horticultural “Grand Tour” from the north to the south of the peninsula. To start with, the chronology of selected gardens from Ancient times to the present day, from Hadrian’s Villa to the contemporary landscaper Paolo Pejrone’s latest realisations. Then geography, which in turn imposed a choice – yet an inequitable one when considering the importance of regions such as Lazio and Tuscany – of gardens stretching from the confines of Sicily to the Alpine frontiers. Finally, major stylistic elements: the importance of water, ponds, fountains, canals and other waterways. Mineral features in the form of statues, terraces, ruins be the real or fake, and architecture. Plant life: the importance of cypress and citrus trees, the omnipresence of topiaries… Horticultural science of which the Italians are masters, with the subtlest of knowledge and a taste for things marvellous.

After studying law at the University of Nanterre, then history at the Leningrad School of Fine Art (thesis on the work of the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, directed by Professors Y. Bottineau and I. A. Bartenev), César Garçon worked as a journalist and sub-editor before creating his own business in the management of photographic copyright in the 1990s. Since 2012, after studying digital imaging at the Nikon School, he has been concentrating on photographing gardens, for which he has developed a great interest, and has successively published a monograph on the “Bois du Fay” (2012) – a garden by the landscaper Mark Rudkin near Versailles, on “Bomarzo” (2014) and on the “Jardin des Tarots” (2015) created by Niki de Saint Phalle to the north of Rome. He has just published, along with Pierre de Filippis – the book’s designer and author – his latest work, entitled “L’Italie des Jardins”, published by Editions Ulmer. He spends much time in his own garden near Paris.

Further reading : 
– L’Italie des jardins, Ulmer, 2015
– Bomarzo : il sacro bosco, Ulmer, 2014
– Niki de Saint Phalle : il Giardino dei tarocchi, Ulmer, 2014
– Le bois du Fay : le jardin d’un américain en Ile-de-France, Ulmer, 2012