The Gardens of the Vatican by Linda Kooluris Dobbs
Twenty-seven years in the making, The Gardens of the Vatican is a private photographic tour of eight centuries of 'green thoughts in a green shade'. The several gardens in the Vatican territory reflect the history of gardens in general. In addition to the Persian-influenced quadrant gardens of the Teuton Cemetery and the Secret garden, adorned with lemon-trees in pots, there are gardens in the Italian, French and English styles. The book is rich in anecdote and detail: Pope John XXIII liked to ramble along the pathways and chat with the gardeners. His predecessor Pius XII wanted solitude, so the gardeners were obliged to hide. There is a fragment of the Berlin Wall, a Chinese pavilion given by the Catholics of that country, and a gnarled old olive tree transplanted from Gethsemane in the Holy Land. The Gardens of the Vatican offers a fascinating and inspiring glimpse of a bachelor's refuge, through eight centuries of history.
A work of staggering vision and dedication, 27 years in the making, which gives a rare, fascinating and inspiring glimpse of the Vatican's grand gardensBookseller Kildare Dobbs's rich narrative at the beginning of the book prepares the reader for the visual delights which follow... The shrines, mementoes of spiritual events, statues, fountains and buildings commissioned by various Popes through the centuries, shine through Linda Kooluris Dobbs photographs and serve to give us avery distinctive and personal insight into one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Reckless Gardener The atmospheric photographs unfold like a private tour of the grounds. Amateur Gardening This magnificent book is a fascinating and inspiring glimpse of the Holy Fathers' refuge through eight centuries of history. Linda's beautiful photographs provide a private photographic tour of "green thoughts in a green shade." Universe To discuss all the aspects of the Gardens here would demand too much space, but the author has done her subject proud in this book in presenting them all in a collection of essays and excellent photographs, including all the administrative buildings. Catholic Herald A poetic contemplation on garden history... Most of the book is taken up with photographs by Linda Koolaris Dobbs, who uses many imaginative angles and techniques to describe every corner of the gardens. Historic Gardens Review When in Rome, though too big for your hand luggage, you might find Gardens of the Vatican an appropriate primer. Oldie Linda Kooluris Dobbs uses her lenses, and many imaginative angles and techniques to describe every corner of the gardens. Mediterranean Garden
Kildare Dobbs was an award-winning essayist and poet, author of some 16 books including Running in Paradise, for which he was given the Governor General's Award. He was born in India to Irish parents and for many years has been Canadian. His work has been widely anthologized, and in 2000 he was invested with the Order of Ontario. He died in 2013.
Linda Kooluris Dobbs began her photographic record of the Vatican Gardens in 1981 with a very old and trustworthy Nikon F2. Her photographs have been published in The National Post and have been the subject of a major exhibition in Toronto in 2002.
To visit Linda's website click here
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780711229709 |
| ISBN 10 | 0711229708 |
| Title | The Gardens of the Vatican |
| Author | Linda Kooluris Dobbs |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Quarto Publishing PLC |
| Year published | 2009-03-05 |
| Number of pages | 160 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |