Parterres are hedges or dense bushes used as borders in Renessaince
gardens. Plants that make up parterres can have different appearances.
Parterres are often in the shape of knots, or can even have the appearance
of embroidery. The dense parterre hedges may also be cut, sometimes even
being given the shape of animals, etc. - this is called "topiary". Sometimes
parterres are shaped into mazes, and strollers can become lost (sometimes
not intentionally). Gravel appears to be used in the image above, but
colored sand, and brick-dust has been known to be used in lieu of grass or
plants. "Number Symbolism and Renaissance Choreography", Carter, François;
Dance Research: The Journal of the Society for Dance Research,
Vol. 10, No. 1, 1992, pp. 21-39, see p. 24.
Website Terms of Use