Andreas Martin Andersen (Bergen, Norway, 1869 - 1902, Boston)
Pergola, Green Hill, about 1900
Oil on canvas , 40.6 x 30.5 cm (16 x 12 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
This vertical rectangular oil painting represents a scene from Green Hill, the Gardners’ home in Brookline. This painting is from the perspective of someone standing at one end of the pergola and looking through it to a brightly light opening at the far end. The tan pathway has horizontal stripes of blue, green and purple shadows caused by the strips of fabric that are stretched over the pathway. Both sides of the pergola are full of lush green foliage with pink and reddish flowers. There are dark green columns visible along both sides. Two brightly colored birds are seen to our left among the foliage. They have red and blue feathers with golden breasts, heads and beaks. In the far opening a dark brown lattice fence and a lightly colored façade are visible. The pale green, pink and white building has two dark green windows with pointed tops.
Vatichino
Commentary
When Isabella Stewart Gardner and her husband Jack needed a respite from city life, they visited their Brookline home, called Green Hill. The property boasted lush English, Italian, and Japanese gardens, as well as a greenhouse and conservatory. Recalling the property, Isabella’s friend Grace Schirmer was once moved to write, “I hope you have fled out to your Green Hill far away from the maddening crowd to your beautiful shrubs, flowers and blossoms and that the birds carol joyfully to their beloved mistress and bring sweet melodies and harmonies to serenade you!”
This painting by Andreas Martin Andersen captures the verdant escape that Green Hill’s gardens provided for the Gardners and their visitors. This shaded pergola lined with trees and flowering shrubs would have been a perfect place for Isabella and her guests to take a leisurely stroll, or for her artist friends to be inspired.
This painting by Andreas Martin Andersen captures the verdant escape that Green Hill’s gardens provided for the Gardners and their visitors. This shaded pergola lined with trees and flowering shrubs would have been a perfect place for Isabella and her guests to take a leisurely stroll, or for her artist friends to be inspired.