Central Park has been called "the lungs" of New York City. It is also a place of refreshment, regeneration and relaxation. It is surprising how one can feel totally enveloped by nature—and sometimes feel alone—while only minutes from a bustling city of 8.5 million people. This "dose of nature" has a profound civilizing effect upon those who encounter it.
Of course, Central Park is a masterpiece of "Man and Nature." The park was highly planned and landscaped. But the genius intent was to create an artistic, naturalistic setting—one which took advantage of the slopes, ravines and boulders—to create the feeling of wilderness. I am always amazed at how many "little, private spaces," numerous nooks and crannies, have been created in Central Park.
Shown above, a gigantic boulder. Who knows how much more of it lies beneath the earth? It suggests a heroic landscape—like a Nineteenth Century Hudson River School painting. The tableau suggests enormity, majesty and permanence. One can climb upon it and, yet, only be a five minute walk from a taxi cab.
I love handcraft—and there's no way to create the "cobbled frivolity," shown above, without using an artisan's hands. This swirl of stone provides motion and energy, visual texture and a paved surface to walk upon.
One such "hidden gem" among the park's many larger features is the four acre Shakespeare Garden—a stone's throw from the Delacorte Theatre (where Shakespearean plays are mounted). This delightful setting is planted with many of the flora mentioned in his plays (some of it changed seasonally). Rambling walks and benches provide respite—perhaps while reading the sonnets.
The Shakespeare Garden was originally planted as "The Garden of the Heart." In 1916, on the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, it was renamed in honor of The Bard. Over the years, plants have been added which are featured in his writings.
Along the edge of Central Park, facing the Museum of Natural History, stands a bust of German science rockstar, Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). The bust was commissioned of German sculptor Gustaf Blaeser to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Humboldt's birth. The bust was originally installed along Central Park South. In 1981, it was moved to Central Park West at 77the Street—near the Naturalists' Gate—which is fitting, as it's across from the Museum (which is indebted to Humboldt's pioneering scientific work). Humboldt has been called "The Father of Ecology" and "The Father of Environmentalism."
Humboldt was a polymath—studying plants, animals, rocks, geography, weather, astronomy, ecologic systems, volcanoes, magnetic forces and ocean currents. He was also a relentless explorer. Besides traveling in his home continent, he was the first non-Spaniard to meticulously explore (and record his findings of) Central and South America. He traveled through Mexico and the United States. And he extensively explored Russian Siberia. His published accounts, which took decades to complete and publish, added immeasurably to science's understand of (and approach towards) the field of natural science. When Darwin headed-off on the HMS Beagle (in 1831), he took along Humboldt's 30-volume set of books.
Besides being a pioneering scientific genius, Humboldt was a lifelong bachelor. His surviving letters and personal writings (and the remembrances of his friends and acquaintances) indicate that he had profound romantic attachments (and liaisons) with men. Apparently Humboldt was a pioneer, both professionally and personally.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.