An early American Modernist landscape
John Fletcher Steele was a one of the first American Modernists of landscape architecture. In 1907 Steele attended Harvard's Graduate School of Landscape Architecture where he was taught by none other than Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. in the Beaux Arts tradition, but later became greatly influenced by the French Modernist of his time; the Vera brothers and Gabriel Guevrekian in particular.
While his style in his professional practice remained relatively rooted in Beaux Arts principles, his writings and exhibition work showcased his Modern gleanings. During his career, Steele made a friend out of heiress Mabel Choate, daughter of Joseph Choate the prominent New York attorney, who's love of travel fed Steele's creativity and together they conspired to create his signature gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Link: Naumkeag Trustees
Link: Naumkeag Projects
Via: Garden Visit
Reference: Modern Landscape Architecture - A Critical Review (L+L)
Naumkeag traces Steele's Modern metamorphosis from the Afternoon Garden in 1930, to the Blue Steps in 1936, and culminates in what is considered to be his one true Modern design: the scalloped Rose Garden in 1952. While most famous for his Blue Steps, Steele was an important and influential writer who went on to inspire the next generation of Modernists.
Fletcher Steele and Mabel Choate paint the blue steps
Rill at the top of Blue Steps (left), Blue Steps (right)
Afternoon Garden
Rose Garden
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Works of art