“In garden arrangement, as in all other kinds of decorative work, one has not only to acquire a knowledge of what to do, but also to gain some wisdom in perceiving what it is well to let alone.”
– Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll around 1879
Gertrude’s Garden Boots
Gertrude Jekyll was a gifted garden designer, devoted to her art the garden. In 1920 Gertrude was 76 years old and said to be “quite difficult”.
In 1920 Sir William Nicholson arranged a meeting with Gertrude to paint a portrait of her. Gertrude irritated at having to sit to be painted, needed some time to ready herself leaving only a short window for the artist to paint…
As Sir William Nicholson waited for his privilege to paint her, he was taken by a beat up pair of shoes in the corner of the room. It turns out this raggedy pair of work boots was Gertrude’s daily work shoes…
This is what Sir William Nicholson painted waiting for Gertrude in 1920, a pair of her shoes…
Miss Jekyll’s Gardening Boots – Sir William Nicholson c.1920
“It is no use asking me or anyone else how to dig… Better to go and watch a man digging, and then take a spade and try to do it.”
– Gertrude Jekyll