Resplendence at The Ringling

The grounds surrounding Ringling Art Museum and John and Mable’s home, the Ca’d’Zan, are a beautiful and peaceful oasis stuck in the middle of Florida’s Neo-Capitalist American Gothic Bradenton and Florida-Venezian hub of the arts, Sarasota.

This magical place exists as a far cry from the chaos and complication of the world outside. Here one can audibly perceive the wind rustling in the leaves of the trees layered upon footfalls on the myriad gravel paths that crisscross the estate.

Dotted about the landscape are statues of the human form going about their daily practices as intricately carved stone features blend seamlessly with the flora. At the center of all lies Mable’s prize rose garden and an impossible banyan grove, the center of which becomes a different world as you make your way inside.

John and Mable would frequently make trips from their quarters in Wisconsin to their vacation home in Sarasota on their custom Pullman railcar.

Mable would complete construction on her rose garden in 1913, 2 years after purchasing their winter estate. They continued to live in the existing estate home until 1926 when construction was completed on the Ca’d’Zan - venetian for "House of John".

The marvelous waterfront residence, designed in Venetian Gothic style, that soon became the center for cultural life in Sarasota.

John’s extensive art collection was put on display a year later when the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was established as their legacy and the official state art museum of Florida.

Sadly, shortly after in 1929, Mable succumbed to Addison’s Disease and Diabetes. John died in 1936 having been voted out of his own company and penniless.

Before he died he gifted the art museum, Ca’d’Zan, and the entire estate to the state of Florida.

The circus museum was established in 1948 and the current state of the grounds began to take form. John and Mable were moved back in 1991 to the estate to rest in the secret garden among the rustling bamboo.

Words are not enough to describe the endless palette of emotions one experiences entering this magical place. If you are somewhere close don't hesitate to go and pay a visit to John and Mable in their secret garden.

More info: The Ringling

Words: Graham A. Johnson

Pictures: Laura Fanfarillo