A Passion For Building
Touring exhibition of paintings, watercolours and drawings, curated by the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.
Fairfax House, York’s Georgian ‘jem’, is hosting a touring exhibition of paintings, watercolours and drawings, curated by the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.
A Passion for Buildings explores the Amateur Architect in England 1650 -1850 and runs at Fairfax House from Saturday 1 March to Sunday 1 June 2008.
The exhibition features a fascinating array of designs from the likes of George III to Yorkshire giants like Lord Burlington (Assembly Rooms, York), Sir Thomas Robinson (Rokeby Park and Castle Howard) and Thomas Worsley (Hovingham Hall).
The so-called ‘lunatic fringe’ is also included, with designs for Kingsgate, a spectacular cliff-top house in Kent.
Peter Brown, Director of Fairfax House explained: “The term ‘amateur’ is a degraded expression in today’s world. In Georgian times the amateur architect was held in high esteem. Often they were wealthy landowners in their own right, travelling widely throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, soaking up inspiration from the past and this classical education is clearly displayed in the works on display. We are delighted to be able to exhibit works by some of these architects.”
Also included in the exhibition is work by female amateurs like Lady Wilbraham, who designed Weston Park in Shropshire and whose annotated copy of an important book on architecture by Andrea Palladio, is featured in the show.
Another exceptional amateur architect, Sarah Losh, credited with some twenty buildings in and around her home village of Wreay in Cumbria, has her designs for the church at Wreay included in the display. As well as being a unique designer, she also carved the font in the church, very much in the Arts and Crafts style, but many years before the great artist movement promoted by the likes of John Ruskin and William Morris.
The Fairfax House 2008 season runs from Saturday 9 February through to 31 December 2008 (closed 24, 25, 26 December for Christmas). The new season’s brochure is now available from Fairfax House, Castlegate, York. Alternatively go to www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk for more information.
Ends
Press Contacts: Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 654443
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
or
Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com
A Passion for Buildings explores the Amateur Architect in England 1650 -1850 and runs at Fairfax House from Saturday 1 March to Sunday 1 June 2008.
The exhibition features a fascinating array of designs from the likes of George III to Yorkshire giants like Lord Burlington (Assembly Rooms, York), Sir Thomas Robinson (Rokeby Park and Castle Howard) and Thomas Worsley (Hovingham Hall).
The so-called ‘lunatic fringe’ is also included, with designs for Kingsgate, a spectacular cliff-top house in Kent.
Peter Brown, Director of Fairfax House explained: “The term ‘amateur’ is a degraded expression in today’s world. In Georgian times the amateur architect was held in high esteem. Often they were wealthy landowners in their own right, travelling widely throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, soaking up inspiration from the past and this classical education is clearly displayed in the works on display. We are delighted to be able to exhibit works by some of these architects.”
Also included in the exhibition is work by female amateurs like Lady Wilbraham, who designed Weston Park in Shropshire and whose annotated copy of an important book on architecture by Andrea Palladio, is featured in the show.
Another exceptional amateur architect, Sarah Losh, credited with some twenty buildings in and around her home village of Wreay in Cumbria, has her designs for the church at Wreay included in the display. As well as being a unique designer, she also carved the font in the church, very much in the Arts and Crafts style, but many years before the great artist movement promoted by the likes of John Ruskin and William Morris.
The Fairfax House 2008 season runs from Saturday 9 February through to 31 December 2008 (closed 24, 25, 26 December for Christmas). The new season’s brochure is now available from Fairfax House, Castlegate, York. Alternatively go to www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk for more information.
Ends
Press Contacts: Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 654443
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
or
Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com