The grass borders at Nymphenburg convey a sense of nature and freedom.
The spaces between the edges of the various rooms at Versailles are filled with baroque style patterns. The spaces between the edges of the various rooms at Nymphenburg are meadows of luscious and inviting grass. Nymphenburg has numerous benches, inviting the guest to sit and relax. Versailles has miles of walking space, but few places to just sit, by comparison. These features makes Nymphenburg a more inviting place for tourists. Versailles is more suitable for conducting formal discussions of state. Nymphenburg creates a sense of harmony and peace. Versailles captures the opulence of the wealthy at the time.
Both Nymphenburg and Versailles make extensive use of Greek statues as key features. The statues are used in many ways throughout the gardens. They are used to frame other portions of the garden, addition a sense of continuity and balance. They are also used to highlight certain other features. In some places they were used go add interest or focal point to a monotonous design. The reasons for using these various statues are numerous. In gardens that have a grand expanse, the statues can bring the focal point closer to the viewer, using the grand expanse as a backdrop rather than a main feature. Regularly spaced trees, small pillars with finials, and shaped hedges provide a sense of time along the grand causeways of both gardens.
Small features, such as annual beds, and detailed statues provide a contrast in texture, color,...
They both highlight and minimize the expansiveness of the open spaces. They contrast with the open spaces, yet bring the viewer's eyes to something close and delicate. Both gardens depend on contrast between adjacent elements, as well as the contrast between large and small features of the gardens. Contrast is the key to creating a sense of cohesion in the design by featuring borders and lines.
Although both the gardens of Nymphenburg and the gardens at Versailles provide a sense of expansiveness and grandeur, the gardens at Nymphenburg provide a sense of inviting informality that is not present at Versailles. This was accomplished by softening the lines between soft and hardscape areas. The simplicity within the spaces of Nymphenburg lend a sense of tranquility, a stark contrast to the busy designs within these same spaces at Versailles. One of the key differences between the Nymphenburg garden of today and that of Versailles is that Nymphenburg was redesigned to make it look much more like an English garden, stripping away its baroque sense of opulence and formality. Nymphenburg creates a relaxing gardenscape for visitors to stroll or relax on a wonderful warm day.
References
Garden Visit. (2008). Nymphenburg garden designer. In History of Garden Design and Gardening, Chapter 3: European Gardens (500 AD-1850). Retrieved November 23, 2010 from http://www.gardenvisit.com/book/history_of_garden_design_and_gardening/chapter_3_european_gardens_%28500 AD-1850%29/nymphenburg_garden_designer
