A Painter’s Garden
Dante opened his talk by telling members a little about himself. He majored in French at university and in 2015 went to France as he had obtained a position working in Monet’s garden at Giverny, France. The garden is about 80 Km from Paris and is situated near where the Epte river flows into the Seine.
Dante discussed the evolution of the garden over the 43 years that Monet lived in Giverny. In 1890, when he was 50, Monet bought the property, after having rented it for the previous 7 years, and the main work on the garden began. As his finances improved, Monet was able to hire gardeners to assist him. At one point he had a total of six gardeners, including head gardener, Felix Breuil. In the first year after he bought the garden, Monet sought permission to divert a small tributary of the river Epte to make the very famous water lily garden. Over the years, this garden was enlarged and the very well known and much photographed bridge built. Thanks to Latour Marliac, colourful and hardy waterlilies had been hybridized by this time and various varieties were installed. Monet continued to paint and waterlilies were a favourite subject.
After Monet’s death in 1926, his daughter in law, Blanche Hoschedé-Monet, looked after the gardens until she passed away in 1946. When Monet’s only surviving son, Michel Monet, who had inherited the property, died in a car accident in 1966, the gardens were bequeathed to the French Academy of Fine Arts. In the late 1970’s, Gerald Van der Kemp led a restoration effort with much of the money being donated from the USA. Dante then gave members a behind the scenes glimpse of the garden as it is now and discussed some of the elements that go into providing magnificent displays throughout the season.
Most plants are grown on the premises from seeds or cuttings. Dante’s talk was followed by questions. Members really appreciated his beautiful photographs and interesting presentation.