Summary

A Grade II* garden monument consisting of an entablature with Doric columns enclosing an arch resembling a ferny grotto which frames an exquisite marble relief by Scheemakers. The relief depicts an old shepherd, watched by two young ones and a maiden, deciphering the inscription - Et in Arcadia - on a tomb.

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[1] The garden monument consists of an entablature with Doric columns enclosing an arch resembling a ferny grotto which frames an exquisite marble relief by Scheemakers. The relief, based on Nicholas Poussin's painting, depicts an old shepherd, watched by two young ones and a maiden, deciphering the inscription - Et in Arcadia - on a tomb.

It is believed that Thomas Wright instigated the design, basing it on an idea he published in 'Six Original Designs of Arbours': This building must be situated so as to be well back'd with Wood, of the hardy Forest Growth, and the more retired the better, as in a Salon or Lawnet, being chiefly designed for the Enjoyment of Objects near the Eye, yet so as to be relieved with Prospects, more remote, without being too conspicuous of itself'. The unusual swirling carving on the curved arch is possibly an attempt to translate this idea, originally conceived in wood, into stone. The columns and Doric entablature with crestings were probably added in 1763.

The monument takes its name from the marble relief, an adapted mirror-image of the painting by Nicholas Poussin, 'Et in Arcadia Ego' (1640-2). It was carved by the Dutch artist Scheemakers, who also worked on the Arch of Hadrian. Pennant describes it, 'The scene is laid in Arcadia. Two lovers, expressed in elegant pastoral figures, appear attentive to an antient shepherd, who reads to them an inscription on the tomb, Et in Arcadia Ego! The moral resulting from this seems to be that there are no situations of life so delicious, but which death must at length snatch us from. It was placed here by the amiable owner, as a momento of the certainty of that event. Perhaps also as a secret memorial of some loss of a tender nature in his early days, for he was wont often to hang over it in affectionate and firm meditation'.

On a tablet below the relief is a cryptic inscription, the cause of much speculation, that had defied conclusive interpretation:
D. O U O S V A V V M.

It has been suggested that the D.M. Stands either as initials or for the Latin 'Diis Manibus'. This was found commonly on Roman tombs, dedicating the soul of one departed to the spirit world, although in this case they do not stand together. However, the rest of the inscription, cannot be in Latin, which does not contain the capital letter 'U', suggesting that it stands for a phrase in another language, or an acrostic.

Over the years the marble relief was severely affected by sulphate attack and frost, the situation being permanently damp, with water penetrating from above and below. The monument has been cleaned and repaired, but from chemical and vandal attack and the damp situation was improved in 2010.

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