The systemisation of classical topomythopoiesis in seventeenth-century France

Seventeenth-century France witnessed the systematization of classical topomythopoiesis, where Italian Renaissance garden influences were integrated into aristocratic landscapes under Louis XIV's reign. The Palace and Park of Versailles exemplify this transformation, blending elaborate waterworks and horticulture with mythological iconography created by a collective of artists and writers. Initially, visitor reception relied on familiarity with Greco-Roman mythology, but as the gardens became more accessible, guidebooks standardized experiences through scripted interpretations. This study reveals how classical topomythopoiesis oscillated between imaginative engagement and analytic interpretation, reflecting an era of both wonderment and rationalization. It also highlights its dissemination through influential treatises like Dézallier d’ Argenville’s La theorie et la pratique du jardinage, marking a shift toward structured mythological representation in designed landscapes.

Prinsloo, J. N. (2025). The systemisation of classical topomythopoiesis in seventeenth-century France. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 45(1), 14–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/14601176.2025.2483110