Del paraíso terrenal al parque público del siglo XXI. Una aproximación a la idea de jardín

Abstract

Mankind has always produced artistic works and among them many gardens developed by almost every culture in different times and places. But a more careful look raises some doubts when considering these human works: can all of them be considered under the same category? When we talk about gardens, is it not true that we are referring to very different objects that perhaps have little or nothing in common? How important is to gain insight into how they differ or resemble each other? This paper addresses these and other issues, establishing first a basic timeline and analyzing then the possible components of a definition of garden, to continue afterwards with the analysis of its typical features. The intended purpose is to understand and properly interpret not only gardens of antiquity, but also to comprehend the importance, the role and the characteristics of 21st century’s public parks.