A celebrated designer of gardens. Born, 1613; died, 1700.
Louis XIV. commissioned him to lay out the park and gardens of
Versailles, and gave him entire control over the royal gardens of
France. The geographical situation of Versailles made any arrangements
for gardens, fountains, and terraces extremely difficult, but Le Nôtre
overcame all difficulties, and fed the fountains by constructing a
canal to carry off the waters of a neighbouring marsh, which was thus
rendered a fertile and cultivated spot.
Le Nôtre created the gardens of Marly, and also constructed the
splendid terrace at St. Germain. He laid out the gardens of Chantilly
for the Prince de Condé of the day. Those at Fontainebleau and St.
Cloud were also designed by him. Proceeding to England in the reign of
Charles II., he laid out and arranged the present Parks of Greenwich
and St. James. The lake in the latter was constructed by Le Nôtre.
Le Nôtre was a man of the most simple and natural nature, and for that
very reason was probably one of the greatest favourites, among his
servants, of Louis XIV. This anecdote, which is historically true,
describes the character of the man: In 1678 he made a visit to Italy
to study the beautiful gardens which surround the great villas of
that country. He was received in audience by Pope Innocent XI., who
treated him with much distinction, and Le Nôtre, as he was taking
leave, remarked: “I have now nothing more to desire; I have seen the
two greatest men in the world--your Holiness and the King of France.”
“There is a great difference between us,” replied the Pope; “the King
of France is a great and victorious Prince, I am but a poor priest, the
servant of the servants of God.” Le Nôtre, delighted with this reply,
slapped the Pope familiarly on the back, saying, “Holy Father, do not
be despondent; you look in perfect health, and may live to bury every
present member of your sacred College.” Innocent XI. burst into a fit
of laughter, and Le Nôtre threw himself on the Pope’s neck, kissing him
affectionately. Le Nôtre retired, delighted with his interview, and
proceeded to write full details of it to Bontemps, the confidential
valet of Louis XIV.; this letter was read aloud at the Petit Levée of
the King. Several courtiers doubted the truth of its contents, but the
King said, “Why not? Whenever I return from a campaign and give Le
Nôtre an audience he always embraces me, so he most likely embraces the
Pope also.”
At the age of eighty, when he wished to retire, Le Nôtre only obtained
permission to do so on the condition he would pay a weekly visit to the
King. He died at eighty-seven, and was buried in the church of St. Roch
in Paris, in a chapel he had founded.
He refused armorial bearings when offered a patent of nobility,
declaring his only crest was a spade.