Colen Campbell (15 June 1676 – 13 September 1729) was a pioneering Scottish architect and architectural writer, credited as a founder of the Georgian style. For most of his career, he resided in Italy and England. As well as his architectural designs he is known for Vitruvius Britannicus, three volumes of high-quality engravings showing the great houses of the time.
He travelled in Italy between 1695 and 1702, and is believed to be the Colinus Campbell who signed the visitor's book at the University of Padua in 1697. He is believed to have trained in and studied architecture under James Smith,[1] a belief strengthened by Campbell owning several drawings of buildings designed by Smith.
Vitruvius Britannicus
His major published work, Vitruvius Britannicus, or the British Architect... appeared in three volumes between 1715 and 1725. This was the first architectural work to originate in England since John Shute's ElizabethanFirst Groundes. In the empirical vein, it was not a treatise but basically a catalogue of design, containing engravings of English buildings by Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren, as well as Campbell himself and other prominent architects of the era.
In the introduction that he appended and in the brief descriptions, Campbell belaboured the "excesses" of Baroque style and declared British independence from foreigners while he dedicated the volume to HanoverianGeorge I. The third volume (1725) has several grand layouts of gardens and parks, with straight allées, for courts and patterned parterres and radiating rides through wooded plantations, in a Baroque manner that was rapidly becoming old-fashioned.
Buildings were shown in plan, section and elevation, and some in a bird's-eye perspective. The drawings and designs contained in the book were under way before Campbell was drawn into the speculative scheme. The success of the volumes was instrumental in popularising neo-Palladian architecture in Great Britain and America during the 18th century. For example, Plate 16 of Vitruvius Britannicus, a rendering of Somerset House in London, was an inspiration for American architect Peter Harrison when he designed the Brick Market in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1761.[2]
Campbell was influenced as a young man by James Smith (c. 1645–1731), the pre-eminent Scots architect of his day, and an early neo-Palladian whom Campbell called "the most experienced architect" of Scotland (Vitruvius Britannicus, ii).
The somewhat promotional volume, with its excellently rendered engravings, came at a propitious moment at the beginning of a boom in country house and villa building among the Whigoligarchy. Campbell was quickly taken up by Lord Burlington, who replaced James Gibbs with Campbell at Burlington House in London and set out to place himself at the centre of English neo-Palladian architecture. In 1718, Campbell was appointed deputy to the amateur gentleman who had replaced Wren as Surveyor General of the Royal Board of Works, an appointment that Burlington is certain to have pressed, but a short-lived one. When Benson, the new Surveyor was turned out of office, Campbell went with him.
Later volumes
There are later volumes also published under the name ‘Vitruvius Brittanicus’, but they are not connected to Colen Campbell's work. In 1739 a volume was issued by Badeslade and Rocque, described as ‘Volume 4’.[3] However, this had little in common with Campbell, comprising mainly topographical perspective views of houses (54 plates). Between 1765 and 1771, Woolfe and Gandon published their ‘Volumes 4 & 5’ (79 and 75 plates).[4] They discounted Badeslade's volume, believing their work to be a more correct continuation of Campbell, hence their numbering. The plates are indeed mostly plans and elevations of buildings largely in the Palladian style, most dating from after 1750. The various Volumes are fully described in Harris.[5]
Campbell's main commissions
Wanstead House, as built, illustrated in Nathaniel Spencer, The Complete English traveller, London 1771
Wanstead House, Essex, c. 1713/4–20 (illustrated left). In the first volume of Vitruvius Britannicus, the most influential designs were two alternatives for a palatial Wanstead House, Essex, for the merchant-banker Sir Richard Child, of which the second design was already under way when the volume was published. (Campbell claimed that Wanstead House had Great Britain's first classical portico, but this accolade probably belongs to The Vyne, Hampshire.)
Stourhead, Wiltshire, 1721–24, as a seat for the London-based banker Henry Hoare. Wings were added in the later 18th century, and Campbell's portico was not executed (though to his design) until 1841. The famous landscape garden round a lake, somewhat apart from the house, was developed after Campbell's death, by Henry Flitcroft.
Marble Hill House, Twickenham
Pembroke House, Whitehall, London, for Henry Herbert, 9th Earl of Pembroke, 1723, a London house in a prominent location for the heir of Jones' Wilton House. It was rebuilt in 1757 and demolished in 1913. Lord Herbert (as he then was) was inspired by it to design the similar Marble Hill at Twickenham for Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, the mistress of the future George II. (Marble Hill was a 5-bay palladian villa with central pediment, raised on a high basement, with clumped screens of trees and formal turfed terraces descending to the Thames, illustrated right, that manifest the earliest stages of the English landscape garden.)
Houghton Hall, Norfolk, begun 1722, for Sir Robert Walpole, the Whig prime minister. Here Campbell was replaced by Gibbs, who capped the end pavilions with octagonal domes, and by William Kent, who designed the interiors.
Mereworth Castle, Kent, 1722–25. Campbell's most overtly palladian design, based on Villa La Rotonda, capped with a dome with no drum, through which 24 chimney flues pass to the lantern.
Title page, Vitruvius Britannicus; or, The British architect, containing the plans, elevations, and sections of the regular buildings, both publick and private in Great Britain, with variety of new designs, written by Campbell
Nos 76 and 78 Brook Street, London W1, 1725–26. No. 76, which survives, was Campbell's own house, the designs for its interiors published in his Five Orders of architecture, (1729). It carries a blue plaque commemorating him.
The Elevation of General Wade, his house in great Burlington Street, London, Vitruvius Britannicus, vol. 3, 1723. Engraving by Henry Hulsbergh
References
^ abpage 7, Catalogue of the Drawings Collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects: Colen Campbell, John Harris 1973, Gregg International Publishers Ltd
^Harris, Eileen (1990). British Architectural Books and Writers 1556–1785. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 139–148, 467, 145 note 27, 496–498. ISBN1-57898-223-5.
^Howard Edward Stutchbury (1967). The Architecture of Colen Campbell. Manchester University Press. pp. 145–147.
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Howard Colvin, A Biographical dictionary of British Architects, 3rd edition
Robert Tavernor, Palladio and Palladianism 1991
May 04, 2023
colen, campbell, june, 1676, september, 1729, pioneering, scottish, architect, architectural, writer, credited, founder, georgian, style, most, career, resided, italy, england, well, architectural, designs, known, vitruvius, britannicus, three, volumes, high, . Colen Campbell 15 June 1676 13 September 1729 was a pioneering Scottish architect and architectural writer credited as a founder of the Georgian style For most of his career he resided in Italy and England As well as his architectural designs he is known for Vitruvius Britannicus three volumes of high quality engravings showing the great houses of the time Colen CampbellBorn 1676 06 15 15 June 1676BrodieDied 1729 09 13 13 September 1729LondonResting placeWestminster AbbeyNationalityScottishOccupationArchitectBuildingsMereworth CastleStourheadHoughton HallBurlington HouseWanstead HousePalladian revival Stourhead House south facade designed by Campbell and completed in 1720 a print from Vitruvius Britannicus Contents 1 Early life 2 Vitruvius Britannicus 2 1 Later volumes 3 Campbell s main commissions 4 List of architectural works 5 Gallery of architectural work 6 ReferencesEarly life EditA descendant of the Campbells of Cawdor Castle he is believed to be the Colinus Campbell who graduated from the University of Edinburgh in July 1695 1 He initially trained as a lawyer being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates on 29 July 1702 He travelled in Italy between 1695 and 1702 and is believed to be the Colinus Campbell who signed the visitor s book at the University of Padua in 1697 He is believed to have trained in and studied architecture under James Smith 1 a belief strengthened by Campbell owning several drawings of buildings designed by Smith Vitruvius Britannicus EditHis major published work Vitruvius Britannicus or the British Architect appeared in three volumes between 1715 and 1725 This was the first architectural work to originate in England since John Shute s Elizabethan First Groundes In the empirical vein it was not a treatise but basically a catalogue of design containing engravings of English buildings by Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren as well as Campbell himself and other prominent architects of the era In the introduction that he appended and in the brief descriptions Campbell belaboured the excesses of Baroque style and declared British independence from foreigners while he dedicated the volume to Hanoverian George I The third volume 1725 has several grand layouts of gardens and parks with straight allees for courts and patterned parterres and radiating rides through wooded plantations in a Baroque manner that was rapidly becoming old fashioned Buildings were shown in plan section and elevation and some in a bird s eye perspective The drawings and designs contained in the book were under way before Campbell was drawn into the speculative scheme The success of the volumes was instrumental in popularising neo Palladian architecture in Great Britain and America during the 18th century For example Plate 16 of Vitruvius Britannicus a rendering of Somerset House in London was an inspiration for American architect Peter Harrison when he designed the Brick Market in Newport Rhode Island in 1761 2 Campbell was influenced as a young man by James Smith c 1645 1731 the pre eminent Scots architect of his day and an early neo Palladian whom Campbell called the most experienced architect of Scotland Vitruvius Britannicus ii The somewhat promotional volume with its excellently rendered engravings came at a propitious moment at the beginning of a boom in country house and villa building among the Whig oligarchy Campbell was quickly taken up by Lord Burlington who replaced James Gibbs with Campbell at Burlington House in London and set out to place himself at the centre of English neo Palladian architecture In 1718 Campbell was appointed deputy to the amateur gentleman who had replaced Wren as Surveyor General of the Royal Board of Works an appointment that Burlington is certain to have pressed but a short lived one When Benson the new Surveyor was turned out of office Campbell went with him Later volumes Edit There are later volumes also published under the name Vitruvius Brittanicus but they are not connected to Colen Campbell s work In 1739 a volume was issued by Badeslade and Rocque described as Volume 4 3 However this had little in common with Campbell comprising mainly topographical perspective views of houses 54 plates Between 1765 and 1771 Woolfe and Gandon published their Volumes 4 amp 5 79 and 75 plates 4 They discounted Badeslade s volume believing their work to be a more correct continuation of Campbell hence their numbering The plates are indeed mostly plans and elevations of buildings largely in the Palladian style most dating from after 1750 The various Volumes are fully described in Harris 5 Campbell s main commissions Edit Wanstead House as built illustrated in Nathaniel Spencer The Complete English traveller London 1771 Wanstead House Essex c 1713 4 20 illustrated left In the first volume of Vitruvius Britannicus the most influential designs were two alternatives for a palatial Wanstead House Essex for the merchant banker Sir Richard Child of which the second design was already under way when the volume was published Campbell claimed that Wanstead House had Great Britain s first classical portico but this accolade probably belongs to The Vyne Hampshire Burlington House London 1717 Remodelled the front and provided an entrance gateway for Richard Boyle 3rd Earl of Burlington Remodelled in 1868 and the gateway demolished Stourhead Wiltshire 1721 24 as a seat for the London based banker Henry Hoare Wings were added in the later 18th century and Campbell s portico was not executed though to his design until 1841 The famous landscape garden round a lake somewhat apart from the house was developed after Campbell s death by Henry Flitcroft Marble Hill House Twickenham Pembroke House Whitehall London for Henry Herbert 9th Earl of Pembroke 1723 a London house in a prominent location for the heir of Jones Wilton House It was rebuilt in 1757 and demolished in 1913 Lord Herbert as he then was was inspired by it to design the similar Marble Hill at Twickenham for Henrietta Howard Countess of Suffolk the mistress of the future George II Marble Hill was a 5 bay palladian villa with central pediment raised on a high basement with clumped screens of trees and formal turfed terraces descending to the Thames illustrated right that manifest the earliest stages of the English landscape garden Houghton Hall Norfolk begun 1722 for Sir Robert Walpole the Whig prime minister Here Campbell was replaced by Gibbs who capped the end pavilions with octagonal domes and by William Kent who designed the interiors Mereworth Castle Kent 1722 25 Campbell s most overtly palladian design based on Villa La Rotonda capped with a dome with no drum through which 24 chimney flues pass to the lantern Waverley Abbey House Surrey c 1723 25 for John Aislabie largely altered Blue plaque on 76 Brook Street London W1 Title page Vitruvius Britannicus or The British architect containing the plans elevations and sections of the regular buildings both publick and private in Great Britain with variety of new designs written by Campbell Nos 76 and 78 Brook Street London W1 1725 26 No 76 which survives was Campbell s own house the designs for its interiors published in his Five Orders of architecture 1729 It carries a blue plaque commemorating him Compton Place Eastbourne Sussex 1726 onwards south front and extensive internal rebuilding for Sir Spencer Compton Plumptre House Nottingham 1724 30 Remodelled for John Plumptre MP List of architectural works EditSource 6 Shawfield Mansion Glasgow 1712 demolished 1792 Wanstead House Essex 1714 15 demolished 1822 Hedworth House Chester le Street 1726 Hotham House Beverley 1716 17 demolished c 1766 Burlington House London south front and west wing 1717 subsequently extended and several occasions Burlington Ten Acre Close Estate London layout 1717 18 Burlington House Great Gate and Street Wall 1718 Rolls House Chancery Lane London 1718 demolished 1895 96 Ebberston Lodge Ebberston Yorkshire including cascade 1718 34 Great Burlington Street London 1718 19 33 Great Burlington Street London 1719 20 32 Great Burlington Street London c 1720 this was Campbell s own house 31 Great Burlington Street London 1719 24 rebuilt Burlington Girls Charity School Boyle Street London 1719 21 Wimbledon Manor House Surrey for Sir Theodore Janssen 1720 completion uncertain Newby Park now Baldersby Park near Topcliffe Yorkshire 1720 21 Houghton Hall Norfolk one of several architects to work on the building 1721 22 Stourhead Wiltshire the portico part of Campbell s design was only added in 1840 1721 24 interiors destroyed by fire 1902 Mereworth Castle Kent 1722 23 Pembroke Lodge Whitehall London executed Henry Herbert 9th Earl of Pembroke s design c 1724 demolished 1756 Plumptre House Nottingham 1724 Hall Barn Buckinghamshire garden buildings Great Room only partially survives Temple of Venus Obelisk amp Doric Pavilion 1724 Waverley Abbey House Surrey c 1725 extended 1770 damaged by fire and rebuilt 1833 Greenwich Hospital Greenwich London additions to Queen Mary block and Queen Anne block 1726 29 Compton Place Eastbourne remodelled house 1726 29 76 Brook Street London internal alterations c 1726 became Campbell s new home Hackney House Hackney London c 1727 demolished before 1842 Althorp Northamptonshire new stables loggia gate c 1729 33 Studley Royal Park Yorkshire the stables c 1729 built after his death by Roger MorrisGallery of architectural work Edit Design for Stourhead in Wiltshire Vitruvius Britannicus vol 3 1725 Houghton Hall in Norfolk James Gibbs added the domes to Campbell s design Mereworth Castle in Kent Vitruvius Britannicus vol 2 1720 Cross section Mereworth Castle Vitruvius Britannicus vol 2 1720 Gate Burlington House London Vitruvius Britannicus vol 2 1720 demolished Wanstead House in Essex demolished The Elevation of General Wade his house in great Burlington Street London Vitruvius Britannicus vol 3 1723 Engraving by Henry HulsberghReferences Edit a b page 7 Catalogue of the Drawings Collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects Colen Campbell John Harris 1973 Gregg International Publishers Ltd The Center for Palladian Studies in America Inc Palladio and Patternbooks in Colonial America Archived 23 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine Badeslade amp Rocque Royal Academy Library Woolfe amp Gandon Royal Academy Library Harris Eileen 1990 British Architectural Books and Writers 1556 1785 Cambridge UK Cambridge University Press pp 139 148 467 145 note 27 496 498 ISBN 1 57898 223 5 Howard Edward Stutchbury 1967 The Architecture of Colen Campbell Manchester University Press pp 145 147 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colen Campbell Howard Colvin A Biographical dictionary of British Architects 3rd edition Robert Tavernor Palladio and Palladianism 1991 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Colen Campbell amp oldid 1151201777, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
