André Le Nôtre

March 12, 1613 (age 87)

Paris, France

At 13, Andre was apprenticed to a painter, and then worked for six years at the Tuileries with his father. In 1635, Le Nôtre was named the principal gardener of the king's brother Gaston, duc d'Orléans. On 26 June 1637, Le Nôtre was appointed head gardener at the Tuileries, taking over his father's position. In 1657 he was appointed one of the three controleurs generals des batiments du roi, who supervised the royal buildings and gardens and their personnel. Le Notre rose to fame with his designs for the grounds at Chateau Vaux le Vicomte and with his cascades and long avenues at Chantilly. A contemporary royal gardener, Claude Mollet, in his Theatre des plans et jardinage describes the jardin francais style Le Notre developed as follows: "A broad avenue flanked by double or triple rows of elms or limes planted in strict line, at right angles to the building, which must look on to a spacious fore-court, either circular or square. On the opposite side of the house, parterres, with flower beds, are to be laid out where they can be enjoyed from the windows, without trees or other obstacles to interrupt the view. Then must follow parterres with glass lawns, and hedges and palisades, and then bosquets, which have alleys arranged so that the trees converge on a statue or fountain; and finally, there may be a painted canvas that can be renewed if spoiled by rain. Statues should be ranged about, grottoes contrived, and (where levels permit) terraces built. And further, there must be aviaries, fountains, jets, canals, and other decorations, the which, when all has been duly ordered, form the most perfect pleasure garden. " LeNotre submitted plans for Versailles soon after 1662. These were realized in what, in all probability, was the most extravagant garden spectacle ever created. He served King Louis XIV for 40 years, and is credited with planning the gardens at Fontainebleau, Saint-Germain, Saint-Cloud, Meudon, and the Tuileries. King Charles II asked him to plan the English royal gardens; and the gardens at Greenwich, Hampton Court, and St. James's, while they may not be designed from his plans, show his strong influence on English gardening. Many Italian gardens also adopted the formal, classic, symmetrical jardin francais style.

André Le Nôtre

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gardener personnel building

Background

He was born in Paris, Mar. 12, 1613. His father, Jean Le Notre, and grandfather, Pierre Le Notre, were both royal master gardeners, and the family lived at the Tuileries.

Education

He studied in the nearby Palais du Louvre, part of which was then used as an academy of the arts. He learned mathematics, painting and architecture, and entered the atelier of Simon Vouet, painter to Louis XIII.

Career

At 13, Andre was apprenticed to a painter, and then worked for six years at the Tuileries with his father.

In 1635, Le Nôtre was named the principal gardener of the king's brother Gaston, duc d'Orléans. On 26 June 1637, Le Nôtre was appointed head gardener at the Tuileries, taking over his father's position. In 1657 he was appointed one of the three controleurs generals des batiments du roi, who supervised the royal buildings and gardens and their personnel. Le Notre rose to fame with his designs for the grounds at Chateau Vaux le Vicomte and with his cascades and long avenues at Chantilly. A contemporary royal gardener, Claude Mollet, in his Theatre des plans et jardinage describes the jardin francais style Le Notre developed as follows: "A broad avenue flanked by double or triple rows of elms or limes planted in strict line, at right angles to the building, which must look on to a spacious fore-court, either circular or square. On the opposite side of the house, parterres, with flower beds, are to be laid out where they can be enjoyed from the windows, without trees or other obstacles to interrupt the view. Then must follow parterres with glass lawns, and hedges and palisades, and then bosquets, which have alleys arranged so that the trees converge on a statue or fountain; and finally, there may be a painted canvas that can be renewed if spoiled by rain. Statues should be ranged about, grottoes contrived, and (where levels permit) terraces built. And further, there must be aviaries, fountains, jets, canals, and other decorations, the which, when all has been duly ordered, form the most perfect pleasure garden. "

LeNotre submitted plans for Versailles soon after 1662. These were realized in what, in all probability, was the most extravagant garden spectacle ever created. He served King Louis XIV for 40 years, and is credited with planning the gardens at Fontainebleau, Saint-Germain, Saint-Cloud, Meudon, and the Tuileries. King Charles II asked him to plan the English royal gardens; and the gardens at Greenwich, Hampton Court, and St. James's, while they may not be designed from his plans, show his strong influence on English gardening. Many Italian gardens also adopted the formal, classic, symmetrical jardin francais style.

Achievements

He became the principal gardener of King Louis XIV of France, designed the park of the Palace of Versailles in style jardin à la française.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

He was said to be "gardener of kings and king of gardeners".

Connections

Father:: Jean Le Nôtre
Grandfather:: Pierre Le Nôtre
teacher:: François Mansart

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