The Theatrum Botanicum Garden
The garden surrounding the Fondation Cartier is indissociable from Jean Nouvel´s building and seems to be a natural extension of it. Commissioned from the artist Lothar Baumgarten, it is neither an English-style landscaped garden, nor a formal French jardin, nor a sculpture garden. Its name, Theatrum Botanicum, refers to the inventories of medicinal plants and herbs kept by medieval monks. Like medieval gardens it is enclosed, but to keep up with its modern setting it is screened off from the boulevard Raspail by a wall of glass.
This wild-looking garden has 35 tree species and some 200 native French plants, sown or planted according to a particular design. Fig trees, wild strawberries, violets, lily-of-the-valley, cherry trees, mint and rosemary are just some of the surprises that await visitors as they stroll along the paths.
On the back of the building the garden becomes a sandy area with an amphitheatre whose steps are covered with different wild grasses. Just below this a stone pool provides an intimate spot to stop and rest.
The garden is designed along basic geometric principles: the elliptical fountain, the circular amphitheatre and the triangular planted area interact with Jean Nouvel´s rectangular design. Nothing has been left to chance in this project, which is in the great European tradition of gardens commissioned by private patrons.
Since the 1970s Lothar Baumgarten has been producing multi-facetted and conceptual works anchored in a particular architectural and historical context. The Theatrum Botanicum is a work of art, designed to be visited like a constantly-changing exhibition.
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