A Garden by the Sea.

There is a place on the coast of South Carolina where naked huntresses chase legendary beasts in a subtropical garden. Such a place is Brookgreen Gardens. In the early twentieth century Archer Huntington, the stepson of railroad magnate Collis Huntington, bought 9,100 acres which was comprised of four former rice plantations near Murrells Inlet, SC. Here, Huntington and his young wife, sculptress Anna Hyatt, built a home on the lush Carolina coast. Anna realized that former plantations, one of which was named Brookgreen, would be the perfect place for a sculpture garden. The garden opened in 1932 and includes 551 acres. Also included in the 551 acres is the Atalaya Castle which is a part of the South Carolina State parks.

We arrived at about two o'clock in the afternoon on a beautiful sunny day. You can't miss the entrance marked by a life-size aluminum horse sculptures named "Fighting Stallions". This piece was done by Anna Hyatt Huntington. She was one of the first sculptors to cast in aluminum.  It was a nice colorful drive to the ticket and information offices.  We saw a wild turkey in the way. Upon arrival we bought our tickets and a lady gave us maps and oriented us. We joined a tour group at a circular pool which had a statue of Diana the huntress on a pedestal in the center. The pool reflects the sculpture by the famous American sculptor, Augustas Saint-Gaudens. Saint-Gaudens also designed some of the United States most beautiful coins. I chatted with two artists doing some plein air painting.  Claudette was looking at the blooming lily pads in the pool.

"Hey," she says, "I see a turtle!"

"What?" I answer

"It's very small like those we had as pets when we were kids," she said.

"Is there a blue one?" I asked.

"No, silly man.  They're the natural green color," she said.

Anna Hyatt Huntington

Sure enough there was a small turtle swimming around and among the lily pads. The turtle's shell was about the size of a fifty-cent piece. Most of the people peering at the turtle remembered fifty-cent coins. As we watched the turtle a white haired lady stood up from her seat on a park bench under a Spanish moss laden tree and announced, "If you're here for the tour, I'm your tour guide."

Claudette had that "It's about time" look on her face. We began our tour of the garden.  One of the most important things our guide told us was how to orient ourselves. Certain sculptures could be used as landmarks to find your way.  As we walked the grounds as our guide told us of the history of the garden.  Apparently the best way for a sculptress to get a garden in which to display her craft was to marry a wealthy man. It certainly worked for Anna Hyatt Huntington.

Claudette asked me, " Didn't we see the "Blue Boy" in the Huntington Library in California? I wonder if that Huntington was related to this one?"

"Yes we did see Gainsborough's famous painting there and a Gutenberg Bible.  That library was built by Henry Huntington, Archer's cousin," I answered.

"Archer?" She queried.

"Anna Hyatt Huntington's husband," said I.

Our group continued to walk beside reflecting pools with sculpture about.  Of course most of the sculpture was figurative. And almost all the figures were either nude or with minimal drapery.
There are over 350 different sculptors represented in Brookgreen Gardens. "Pegasus"  by Laura Gardin Fraser was very impressive.  The huge winged horse and rider were silhouetted against the blue sky. We ventured on and were almost blinded by the afternoon sun reflecting off a gold statue. "Dionysus" by Edward McCartan was displayed in an open area.  The gardens are plush with flowering plants and shrubs. Bubbling fountains add to the serenity. It is easy to imagine being there alone and how much more enjoyable it would be with only the sound of moving water and singing birds. Our guide gave a good explanation of the logic behind the design and execution of the  "Fountain of the Muses" by   Carl Milles.  This work of art incorporated the moving water in the presentation of the sculpture.

Do you know why so many of the figures are nude?" Claudette asked.

"I've got a feeling you're going to tell me," I said.

"Long ago when sculptors began sculpting people, they believed that the human form was the most perfect creation.  It should not be adorned by man-made clothing," she answered in an authoritative voice.

"H-m-m, I probably enjoy the nudes for another reason which I won't disclose..." I said.

"You would!" I think I detected a bit of disgust in her voice.

One of the more interesting pieces is near the gift shop. The fully clothed male figure wearing a hat "reads" a newspaper while sitting on a park bench. "Len Ganeway" was created by Derek Wemher. Incidentally, the newspaper was sans print.

We enjoyed our trip to Brookgreen Gardens, a true jewel of the South Carolina Coast. By the way, the tickets were valid for three days.