Museums

This garden scene is the work of George Samuel Elgood (1851-1943) who is recognised as a pioneer and master of the garden picture.

Elgood also published books on gardens which were illustrated with reproductions of his works. Elgood was also a keen and knowledgeable gardener himself, holding strong opinions on gardens and their design. In later years he devoted the majority of his time to developing his own formal garden.  

His garden pictures from the 1880s to the 1920s provided a record of an age of gardens and garden design before colour photography. His garden pictures included this watercolour of the Barncluith Gardens in Scotland. These terraced gardens reflect the Victorian & Edwardian passion for picturesquely planned gardens. Elgood here captures one of the five terraces at Barncluith, that date from the 1600s. 

His delicate application of watercolour captures how light flows through a formal garden highlighting the shapes and shadows of the trees, topiary, flowers and pathways.