Hi there and welcome back! Recently I went to Jacksonville, Florida for vacation and saw something really intriguing. While on a walk by the beach I noticed a sculpture garden that showcased sculptures built by students. I learned later that it was the UNF Seaside Sculpture Garden. It made me think about how sculpture gardens came about and then I realized it would be perfect for today’s topic!
Sculpture gardens date back to ancient Rome where intricate and beautiful statues started to be publicly displayed mostly for showcasing their high quality. Sometimes it was a show of wealth to have a sculpture garden. It was a great way to show art to the public in a beautiful way that introduced nature as well.
During the Renaissance period It became increasingly popular to have sculpture gardens especially in high society. This became a way to almost decorate the outdoors and have stunning art displayed while taking a stroll through the gardens. This also brought about more intricate and sculpted fountains. They were popular because they tied together the sculptures and the nature aspect surrounding them.
Modern sculpture gardens are different than they were when they first gained popularity. The UNF Seaside Sculpture Garden, for example, is not to show status or to simply decorate but to showcase new, modern works and ideas by students. It is more to catch the eye of the viewers in a meaningful way to gain the interest of those passing. While the sculptures I saw were beautiful they also seemed to have a story or message which I think is an important theme for modern sculpture gardens.
If you enjoyed this I encourage you to look up sculpture gardens near you! There are plenty that are hidden around the world that are just waiting to be discovered!
Thanks for reading
~Marissa