“Certain noblemen and country squires were advertising for Ornamental Hermits. Nothing, it was felt, could give such delight to the eye, as the spectacle of an aged person, with a long grey beard, and a goatish rough robe, doddering about amongst the discomforts and pleasures of Nature.” - Edith Sitwell, English Eccentrics
Hermitages were constructed, and Hermits sought, during a time when Follies and picturesque landscapes were the idalic forms for wealthy English Estates. Small structures, referencing roman, greek, and asiatic building typologies were scattered through manufactured, rolling hills and constructed ponds at advantagious angles. The garden was an experience of the world, showing it’s owners prestige. “Men of an Eccentric bent and material substance” built home, where the hermit would perform scheduled apperances for the employers pleasure. The hermit was another layer to this very literally landscape. The hermit would be provided vittles and shelter for various terms (it seems these were quite case-by-case). Recommended reading or key words:
-Lancelot “Capability” Brown (sick name, yeah?)
-Father Francis
-Hawkstone
- English Eccentrics and Eccentricities by John Timbs
-The Hermit in the Garden
-hermitary.com
Follow up questions:
-what would a hermitage look like today?
-should i make a seekinghermits app?
-would the modern hermit be allowed wifi?!
Hermitages were constructed, and Hermits sought, during a time when Follies and picturesque landscapes were the idalic forms for wealthy English Estates. Small structures, referencing roman, greek, and asiatic building typologies were scattered through manufactured, rolling hills and constructed ponds at advantagious angles. The garden was an experience of the world, showing it’s owners prestige. “Men of an Eccentric bent and material substance” built home, where the hermit would perform scheduled apperances for the employers pleasure. The hermit was another layer to this very literally landscape. The hermit would be provided vittles and shelter for various terms (it seems these were quite case-by-case). Recommended reading or key words:
-Lancelot “Capability” Brown (sick name, yeah?)
-Father Francis
-Hawkstone
- English Eccentrics and Eccentricities by John Timbs
-The Hermit in the Garden
-hermitary.com
Follow up questions:
-what would a hermitage look like today?
-should i make a seekinghermits app?
-would the modern hermit be allowed wifi?!