What is Palladianism?

William Whyte University of Oxford

The Palladian Bridge, and house (not owned by the NT) in the distance, at Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath, Somerset — © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Palladianism was an approach to architecture strongly influenced by the sixteenth century architect Andrea Palladio. Characterised by Classical forms, symmetry, and strict proportion, the exteriors of Palladian buildings were often austere. Inside, however, elaborate decoration, gilding and ornamentation created a lavish, opulent environment.

Palladio

Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was a Venetian architect, responsible for a series of churches in Venice, public buildings in Vicenza, villas in the Veneto, and much more besides.

Seeking to revive the principles which underpinned ancient Roman architecture, he stressed the importance of proportion, symmetry, and the correct use of the Classical orders.

His influence was magnified by a series of important publications, not least his Four Books of Architecture (I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura), published in 1550.

Palladianism

Palladio’s vision was brought to England in the early seventeenth century. A key figure in this process was the architect Inigo Jones (1573-1652), who made several trips to Italy, acquired a copy of the Four Books of Architecture, and collected original drawings by Palladio.

Never a plagiarist, the strong influence of Palladio’s ideas can, however, still be seen in Jones’ projects for the Royal family: the Queen’s House at Greenwich, Banqueting House in Whitehall, and Queen’s Chapel in St James’, London.

Palladian revival

Although the principles of Palladianism never ceased to be influential, the advent of the English Civil War in 1642 and Jones’ death a decade later in 1652 brought to a halt this great state-sponsored Palladian movement.

In the 1710s, nonetheless, a generation of architects began self-consciously to revive what they saw as the purity of Palladio’s vision – a process aided by the first complete translation of the Four Books of Architecture into English from 1716. A leading figure in this was the Earl of Burlington (1694-1753), whose own projects – especially Chiswick House – helped set a trend.

Palladian achievement

Burlington could not have achieved all he did without his collaboration with the architect and garden designer, William Kent (1686-1748).

Their architecture was also never purely Palladian. It owed much to other designers, and especially to Inigo Jones. Appropriately enough, Burlington’s Chiswick House would be flanked by statues of both Palladio and Jones.

This particularly English Palladianism came to dominate eighteenth century elite architecture, a trend helped by the aristocratic love of the Classics and popularity of the Grand Tour, and sustained by the need for new villas as well as large country houses.

Where to see Palladianism at our places:

Prior Park Landscape Garden

The Palladian Bridge at Prior Park, Bath, was modelled on bridges at Wilton, Stowe, and elsewhere. Built in the 1750s, this example illustrates the continuing influence of the style and the continuing importance of Palladio’s name.

Stowe

Stowe's Temple of Venus was designed for Lord Cobham in 1731 by William Kent, one of the pioneers of Palladianism.

Stourhead

Stourhead in Wiltshire was designed by Colen Campbell, a leading Palladian architect and compiler of Vitruvius Britannicus (1715-25), a book which became a manifesto for Palladian country-house design.

Basildon Park

Basildon Park estate in Berkshire was purchased by Francis Sykes in 1771. Having made his fortune in the East India Company, Sykes wanted a home befitting his elevated status. He therefore demolished the estate's old house and employed architect John Carr to build the Bath stone mansion in the Palladian style that you see today.

West Wycombe Park

This Palladian mansion was the home of Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the Dilettanti Society and member of the notorious Hellfire Club. Between 1735 and 1781 Dashwood remodelled the square Queen Anne building he inherited from his father into a classical mansion filled with paintings and furniture acquired on his Grand Tours.