Emblem books were very popular in Europe during the Renaissance. The books were illustrated with many small woodcuts or engravings accompanied by short verses describing the image. These illustrations could be metaphorical, religious or secular in nature and helped to influence the humanist movement of the sixteenth century. One such image depicts some topiary in a three tiered design known as an estrade. Estrades had been popular in medieval gardens, but, as Renaissance gardeners began to adopt techniques from classical gardens such as that of Pliny the Younger, more extravagant designs were popularised.

Entry adapted from Painting Paradise London 2015.