|
Date: |
|
Description: | Chiswick House is one of England's finest villas. It was modelled on Palladio's Villa Rotunda at Vicenza by the 3rd Earl of Burlington (1694-1753) and built between 1726-9 as an adjunct to a 17th century house on the site which was damaged by fire in 1725. The two buildings were finally connected by a linking structure in 1732-3. The villa's spectacular plaster ceilings and Inigo Jones-inspired fireplace are by William Kent. The villa was inherited in 1753 by the 4th Duke of Devonshire. The old house was demolished in 1788 and James Wyatt was employed to add wings to the north and south of the villa. In 1806 Charles James Fox died here; and in the same room George Canning died in 1827. In 1892 the 8th Duke moved to Chatsworth and the house became a private mental home. It was purchased by Middlesex County Council in 1928 and was used as a cafe and store before being taken into the care of the Ministry of Works in 1948. The 18th century wings were demolished after 1952, but the link building was preserved, as was the adjacent summer parlour, probably built in the 1730s. The house was repaired and restored in 1956-7. | Subjects: | Country House Commercial Garden House Wall Painting Domestic Shop Psychiatric Hospital Agriculture And Subsistence Gardens Parks And Urban Spaces Villa House Health And Welfare Cafe | Source: | English Heritage - Viewfinder | Creator: | National Monuments Record | Identifier: | http://pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk... | Language: | en | Go to resource |
|
|