The English Ornamental Hermit

February 03, 2022
Thursday
 Virtual meeting

Presentation

In the eighteenth century many English landowners erected hermitages in their gardens, and hired hermits to occupy them. These hermits were not religious, but were rather picturesque human figures in created landscapes. This talk will explore the origins of these hermits, outline the issues around hiring a hermit, and discuss the later history of ornamental hermits, including the garden gnome.

Speaker

Prof. Gordon Campbell

Emeritus Professor and Fellow in Renaissance Studies
Department of English, University of Leicester, UK
Member of LE STUDIUM Scientific Council

 

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