Introduction
Women have been central to historic landscape production, design, and management for centuries, although their contributions have often been downplayed or ignored. In many cases, women have been the primary caretakers of the home and hearth, responsible for managing the domestic space and keeping the family property in good repair (Stigsdotter and Grahn, 2002). They have also been involved in designing and decorating their homes and the surrounding gardens and landscapes.
Despite being written out of much of its history, women have been central to the historic landscapes’ production, design, and management. Stigsdotter and Grahn (2002) discuss the idea that a healing garden must consider the needs of both body and soul and that women have an essential role to play in this. They note that women have often been associated with healing gardens, both as patients and as caregivers, and that the feminine principle is essential to creating a healing and nurturing space.
Primary Caretakers of Landscapes
Women have often been the ones to create and care for historic landscapes. In many cases, they have been these spaces’ primary caretakers and designers. They have used their knowledge of plants and herbs to create healing gardens and their management skills to oversee the care and upkeep of these landscapes (Meyer, 2020). In addition, women have often been the driving force behind the preservation of historic landscapes. In many cases, they have been the ones to fight to protect these spaces.
Involvement in Landscaping
During the eighteenth century, a period known as the Age of Enlightenment, women continued to play a significant role in the field of landscape architecture. In England, Mary Delany, a botanical artist, created a series of collages depicting the flowers in her garden. These collages were so realistic that they were mistaken for actual specimens. In France, Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, was responsible for creating the Petit Trianon, a small palace and garden at the Palace of Versailles.
Preservation and Creation of Landscapes
During the nineteenth century, when the industrial revolution was transforming the landscape of Europe, women continued to be active in landscaping. In England, Gertrude Jekyll, a prolific garden designer, created over 400 gardens (Meyer, 2020), many of which are still in existence today. In the United States, Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, worked closely with his wife, Calvert Vaux, on the design of Central Park in New York City.
Critical Women in Nature and Landscape Preservation
In historic landscape design and management, women have often been relegated to subordinate roles, such as gardeners or flower arrangers. However, many women have been important figures in the field, such as Gertrude Jekyll, Beatrix Farrand, and Florence Sabin. These women have significantly contributed to landscape architecture and helped shape how landscapes are designed and managed today.
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was one of the most influential garden designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was born in London in 1843 and studied art and horticulture before establishing her gardening business. Jekyll designed several private gardens, but she is best known for her work on public parks and country estates. In addition to her work as a landscape architect, Jekyll was also a writer, and she wrote some books on gardening and landscape design (McCoy, 2021). Her ideas about native plants and naturalistic planting schemes are still important today.
Mien Ruys
Another notable woman in the history of landscape architecture is Mien Ruys. She was a Dutch landscape architect who is considered one of the founders of modern landscape architecture in the Netherlands. Ruys was a pioneer in the use of natural materials and plantings in her designs, and her work helped to shape the Dutch landscape in the post-war period. She is best known for her work on public parks and gardens, and her many books on the subject.
Beatrix Farrand
Beatrix Farrand was one of the most influential landscape architects of the early 20th century. She was born in New York City in 1872 and studied at the Yale School of Forestry before working for many firms. In 1913, she established her practice, and her work quickly gained recognition. She designed several private gardens, including the Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., and some public parks and campuses, such as the Yale University campus (Elet & Duncan, 2019). Farrand was a strong advocate for the professionalization of landscape architecture and was instrumental in founding the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale is best known for her work as a nurse during the Crimean War, but she also significantly contributed to landscape architecture. In 1858, she published a book called Notes on Nursing, which included a section on hospital design. In this section, she argued that the creation of hospitals should consider the patient’s needs and that the hospital grounds should be designed to provide a soothing and healing environment (Bates & Memel, 2021). Nightingale’s ideas about hospital design were influential, and she is considered one of the first landscape architects to focus on the needs of patients.
Burle Marx
Burle Marx, a pioneer of modern landscape architecture, designed the Brazilian Pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. She is also responsible for creating the landscape of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro (Diogo et al., 2019). Burle Marx’s most famous contribution to landscape architecture was her work in urban spaces. She was a pioneer in using native Brazilian plants in landscaping, and her work helped shape the identity of modern Brazil. Her work was influential in the development of landscape architecture as a discipline, and she is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of landscape architecture.
Florence Sabin
Florence Sabin was an American physician and scientist who did important work on public health. She also helped to establish the National Park Service in the United States. Sabin’s work on public health issues helped to improve the quality of life for many people, and her work in establishing the National Park Service helped to preserve many of America’s natural spaces (Diogo et al., 2019). Her work on public health helped to improve how landscapes were designed and managed to prevent the spread of disease.
Martha Mitchell
Martha Mitchell was an American landscape architect and urban planner. She was born in 1879 and died in 1960. Mitchell was influential in the development of the city of Miami, Florida. She helped design several critical public spaces in the city, including the Miami Riverwalk and Bayfront Park (Siggelkow, 2017). Mitchell’s work helped to shape the way that urban landscapes were designed and managed in the 20th century by creating public spaces that were functional and aesthetically pleasing (Schioppa, 2022). Mitchell’s work demonstrated that urban landscapes could be designed to improve residents’ quality of life.
Martha Schwartz
Martha Schwartz is a contemporary landscape architect known for using bright colors and bold patterns in her designs. Her designs are meant to provoke emotion and stimulate the senses. She was born in New York City in 1949 and studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (Seražin et al., 2018). Schwartz has designed public and private spaces, including parks, plazas, and corporate campuses. In addition to her work as a landscape architect, Schwartz is also a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (Seražin et al., 2018). In the United States, Schwartz, a leading figure in the field of green infrastructure, is responsible for designing the High Line, a public park built on an abandoned elevated railway line in New York City.
Silvia Crowe
Silvia Crowe was one of the first women to be professionally involved in landscape architecture. She was born in England in 1864 and studied horticulture and landscape design at the Royal Agricultural College. After graduation, she worked in several different positions before eventually becoming the head gardener at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire (Padoa Schioppa, 2022). During her time at Waddesdon, she began to gain recognition for her work, and she went on to design several other gardens in England and France.
Maria Teresa Parpagliolo
Maria Teresa Parpagliolo was an Italian landscape architect who was a leading proponent of using naturalistic principles in landscape design. Her work was instrumental in the development of the Italian Renaissance style of landscape architecture. She was born in Naples in 1868 and studied horticulture at the University of Naples (Krasovec Lucas, 2017). Parpagliolo designed several public parks in Naples, including the Villa Pignatelli Park and several private gardens (Krasovec Lucas, 2017). In addition to her work as a landscape architect, Parpagliolo also wrote some books on gardening and horticulture that guide many people in such activities.
Rosa Kliass
Rosa Kliass was a Brazilian landscape architect and environmental planner. She was one of the first women to study landscape architecture in Brazil and was one of the founders of the Brazilian Society of Landscape Architects. Klass was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She studied architecture and landscape architecture at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mayara, 2021). In Brazil, she worked on projects such as the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro and the landscaping of the Brazilian Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair (Herrington, 2018). In the United States, she worked on projects such as the redesign of the grounds of the United Nations Headquarters and the master plan for the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cornelia Oberlander
Cornelia Oberlander was a German-born Canadian landscape architect. She is known for her work on residential and public projects in Vancouver, British Columbia. Oberlander studied landscape architecture at the University of Hamburg and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She immigrated to Canada in 1952 and worked for several landscape architecture firms in Vancouver before opening her practice in 1971 (Déom & Valois, 2019). Oberlander’s work uses natural materials, indigenous plants, and simple forms. She has designed many award-winning projects, including the Vancouver Public Library, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Robson Square complex (Dümpelmann and Beardsley, 2015). In 2003, she was made a member of the Order of Canada to recognize her contributions to landscape architecture.
Challenges
Landscape architecture had long been considered a masculine domain; women began to study landscape architecture and participate in the profession. This was a challenge to the traditional gender roles of the time, and it was not always easy for women to be taken seriously as landscape architects (Boone, 2020). This meant they were often not given the same opportunities or recognition and had to work harder to prove themselves. In recent years, however, there has been a shift in landscape architecture towards a more inclusive field that recognizes the contributions of women. This has led to more opportunities and visibility for women in the area and has resulted in a more diverse landscape architecture profession.
Conclusion
The involvement of women in landscape architecture has been evident throughout history. Women have made significant contributions to the field, but their work has often been undervalued or ignored. From early horticulturalists and gardeners to modern-day landscape architects, women have made tremendous contributions to the area, often despite discrimination and barriers to entry. However, they have managed to show their unique talents in architecture and landscaping, contributing to the nature and landscapes seen today. As such, the history of landscape design and management cannot be adequately understood without considering the vital role that women have played in its development. In recent years, there has been an increase in women entering the profession, but they still face many challenges.
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