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| Robert Adam by George Willison |
In my capacity as general gadabout, I've had the pleasure to be entertained in some *very* fine homes and none finer than those that have touched by the genius of Adam. Trained in his craft by his father, Adam undertook his Grand Tour in 1754, going on to further study in Rome. On his return to England he set up an architectural practice in London and eventually became the Architect of the King's Works in 1761.
In partnership with his brother, James, Adam dismissed the hugely popular Palladian style in favour of the new principle of "movement". Taking its inspiration from the diversity of the architectural form, movement was inspired by studies of antiquity and classical form. Adam brought this style into interior decoration too, contributing a light rococo elegance to buildings such as Hopetoun House, West Lothian and Derbyshire's Kedleston Hall. At the same time, he moved into furniture design, contributing a number of highly ornate mirrors to Aspley House.
My own house in Henrietta Street might best be described as tottering; obviously I would have had Adam do a little tidying up but I could never seem to pin him down!
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| Kedleston Hall |
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| Hopetoun House |
One of my romantic heroines lives near you; she sneaked out at night down a (probably non-existent) alley and emerged onto Henrietta Street. Why, you're practically neighbours!
ReplyDeleteThere heroine of my own WIP lives there too, it's obviously the place to be!
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