Woodland garden reveals artistic gem
Post categories: National Trust,ÌýPlaces to go
| 10:54 UK time, Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Every year, thousands of people visit in South Pembrokeshire, but very few know of the hidden gem that resides inside the gazebo there.
In the past visitors could only see the decorated interior by peering in through the glass. The gazebo however will be now be open daily to the public, allowing visitors to step inside and marvel at the work of talented American artist - Lincoln Taber.
In the 1970's Peter Chance - Chairman of Christie's auction house, who owned the house and garden, commissioned an unusual summer house - a striking octagonal building with a copper cone-shaped roof and golden gilded pinnacle.
The real treasure however, lies inside its eight walls.
In 1976 California born artist Lincoln Taber completed the gazebo project with what is now regarded as one of his most successful murals.
Lincoln Taber was equally at home in landscape, trompe l'oeil and mural painting. He met Dali in Spain, trained with Nerina Simi in Florence, and worked with Annigoni, before settling in England in 1967.
He decorated the interior of the Colby gazebo with amazingly detailed trompe l'oeil paintings.
A climbing clematis adorns the walls beneath which are glasses of wine and a bottle of champagne, reflecting the entirely functional purpose of the building as a place for hosting dinner parties.
Higher up he painted a series of fake quarter foil windows and a heron flying past.
The gazebo has doors opening onto the garden, and where a real door was not possible Taber painted a false one with a view of the path leading down the garden.
He also painted the ceiling with eight signs of the zodiac to represent the eight people involved in the project.
Besides the walled garden, you will also find 100's of hydrangea coming into flower as well as wild flower meadows which are attracting large numbers of damselflies, damosels and dragonflies.
Every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school holidays there are all sorts of wild activities taking place - whatever the weather!
Contact Steve Whitehead for more details on 01834 811885.
In the past visitors could only see the decorated interior by peering in through the glass. The gazebo however will be now be open daily to the public, allowing visitors to step inside and marvel at the work of talented American artist - Lincoln Taber.
In the 1970's Peter Chance - Chairman of Christie's auction house, who owned the house and garden, commissioned an unusual summer house - a striking octagonal building with a copper cone-shaped roof and golden gilded pinnacle.
The real treasure however, lies inside its eight walls.
In 1976 California born artist Lincoln Taber completed the gazebo project with what is now regarded as one of his most successful murals.
Lincoln Taber was equally at home in landscape, trompe l'oeil and mural painting. He met Dali in Spain, trained with Nerina Simi in Florence, and worked with Annigoni, before settling in England in 1967.
He decorated the interior of the Colby gazebo with amazingly detailed trompe l'oeil paintings.
A climbing clematis adorns the walls beneath which are glasses of wine and a bottle of champagne, reflecting the entirely functional purpose of the building as a place for hosting dinner parties.
Higher up he painted a series of fake quarter foil windows and a heron flying past.
The gazebo has doors opening onto the garden, and where a real door was not possible Taber painted a false one with a view of the path leading down the garden.
He also painted the ceiling with eight signs of the zodiac to represent the eight people involved in the project.
Besides the walled garden, you will also find 100's of hydrangea coming into flower as well as wild flower meadows which are attracting large numbers of damselflies, damosels and dragonflies.
Every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school holidays there are all sorts of wild activities taking place - whatever the weather!
Contact Steve Whitehead for more details on 01834 811885.
Comments Post your comment