Chiswick House, built in the early 1700s, was the first example of Palladian architecture in England. It was not originally designed as a residence and has been used for entertaining and showcasing art collections. The gardens were designed by William Kent and are now a public park. The building is a museum.
Chiswick House is a listed building in the Houghton district of London, England. Built in the early 1700s, it was the first example of the Palladian architectural style in England. The house was not originally designed to be a residence but has been used as an environment for entertaining and as a showcase for art collections. Chiswick House has been in public ownership since 1929 and has been restored as a museum.
The third Earl of Burlington, born in 1694, was a leading figure in the arts in England. He was particularly interested in architecture and in the early 1720s began planning for a building to be located on his own estate in the community of Chiswick, near London. The count designed a structure in the style of Andrea Palladio, an Italian architect of the 1500s, drawing on Greek and Roman design ideas.
The initial work on Chiswick House was completed between 1726 and 1729. The building as it then stood had no accommodation for cooking or supporting a family. There was also an older house on the property where the earl lived when he resided.
The building as initially conceived and constructed had clean classical lines reminiscent of those of Greek and Roman temples. It included a portico with Corinthian columns and an external grand staircase. The central space inside had a domed ceiling and was used to display works of art.
By 1733 Burlington had connected old and new houses with a central building called the Link Building. She used the resulting large house as her principal residence until his death in 1753. Although this connection altered the original appearance of Chiswick House, the building continued to attract attention, not only for its style but for the gardens that surround it.
The gardens of Chiswick House were primarily designed by William Kent, a British artist, architect and designer. He has altered the original formal gardens into a more natural looking setting with curving paths, sweeping lawns and areas of trees intended to mimic natural landscapes. He is now considered the first example of the landscape gardening style that became the leading landscape style over the next two centuries.
Chiswick House and Gardens changed ownership to Middlesex County Council in 1929 and the National Ministry of Works in 1948. The connecting building and original residence were removed to once again reveal the Palladium-style building as designed. In 2005 the Gardens were restored. The building is now a museum and the park is a public park.
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