Robert Furze Brettingham
Encyclopedia
Robert Furze Brettingham (1750-1806?) was an English architect, the nephew of Matthew Brettingham the Elder
, who practised in London with great success, and erected many mansion houses throughout the country.
models, and the skill of the architect was chiefly exercised in adapting the requirements of his patron to the hard and fast rules of his art. To gain familiarity with the latter constituted his education, and Brettingham's subsequent works, as well as the drawings which he exhibited on his return at the exhibitions of the then lately founded Royal Academy
, showed that he did not neglect his opportunities in Italy. Among them may be noted in 1783 a drawing of a sepulchral chapel from the Villa Medici
at Rome, in 1790 the design for a bridge which he had erected in the preceding year at Benham Place, in Berkshire, and the entrance porch of the church at Saffron Walden
restored by him in 1792.
In 1773 he published another edition of his uncle's Plans, &c. of Holkham
, also, like it, in atlas folio, "to which are added the ceilings and chimney-pieces, and also a descriptive account of the statues, pictures, and drawings, not in the former edition." Of the Descriptive Account Brettingham was the author; but, again, the plans are ascribed to Matthew Brettingham, and William Kent
is ignored as in the former edition.
, the prison architect, was the opportunity of Brettingham's life, and he soon gained a lucrative practice. Blackburn left many designs incomplete, several of which Brettingham subsequently carried into execution. He erected gaols at Reading
, Hertford
, Poole
, Downpatrick
, Northampton
, and elsewhere.
In 1771 his name appears associated with those of the foremost architects of the time in the foundation of an Architects' Club, which met at the Thatched House Tavern to dine on the first Thursday in every month. Among the original members of this club besides Brettingham were Sir William Chambers
, Robert Adam
, John Soane
, James Wyatt
, and Samuel Pepys Cockerell
, all of whom made names for themselves in their profession. About this time Brettingham also held the post of resident clerk in the Board of Works, which he resigned in 1805.
Among his chief works for private patrons are a temple in the grounds at Saffron Walden in Essex for Lord Braybrooke, and a mausoleum in Scotland for the Fraser family; Winchester House, St. James's Square
, erected originally for the Duke of Leeds
; 9 Berkeley Square
, afterwards sold to the Marquis of Buckingham; Buckingham House, 91 Pall Mall
, rebuilt in 1794 by Sir John Soane; Lansdowne House
, Berkeley Square; 80 Piccadilly
, for Sir Francis Burdett; Charlton, Wiltshire, for the Earl of Suffolk
; Waldersham, Kent, for the Earl of Guilford
; Felbrigg Hall
, Norfolk, for the Hon. W. Wyndham
; Longleat
, Wiltshire; and Roehampton, Surrey, and Hillsborough House in Ireland, both for the Marquess of Downshire
. He is also supposed by some to have designed Maidenhead Bridge
, on the Thames; but this is believed to be a mistake, the authorship of that design, which was executed in 1772, being invariably ascribed by the best authorities to Sir Robert Taylor. Brettingham was held in much regard by his professional brethren, and was the esteemed master of many who have since attained eminence in the architectural profession. The exact date of his death is not known.
Matthew Brettingham
Matthew Brettingham , sometimes called Matthew Brettingham the Elder, was an 18th-century Englishman who rose from humble origins to supervise the construction of Holkham Hall, and eventually became one of the country's better-known architects of his generation...
, who practised in London with great success, and erected many mansion houses throughout the country.
Education
Like his uncle, and in common with all students of architecture of his time, he spent a part of his early life in Italy, from which he returned in 1781. Architecture as then understood consisted in correctly imitating so-called classicalClassical architecture
Classical architecture is a mode of architecture employing vocabulary derived in part from the Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity, enriched by classicizing architectural practice in Europe since the Renaissance...
models, and the skill of the architect was chiefly exercised in adapting the requirements of his patron to the hard and fast rules of his art. To gain familiarity with the latter constituted his education, and Brettingham's subsequent works, as well as the drawings which he exhibited on his return at the exhibitions of the then lately founded Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, showed that he did not neglect his opportunities in Italy. Among them may be noted in 1783 a drawing of a sepulchral chapel from the Villa Medici
Villa Medici
The Villa Medici is a mannerist villa and an architectural complex with a garden contiguous with the larger Borghese gardens, on the Pincian Hill next to Trinità dei Monti in Rome, Italy. The Villa Medici, founded by Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and now property of the French...
at Rome, in 1790 the design for a bridge which he had erected in the preceding year at Benham Place, in Berkshire, and the entrance porch of the church at Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden is a medium-sized market town in the Uttlesford district of Essex, England. It is located north of Bishop's Stortford, south of Cambridge and approx north of London...
restored by him in 1792.
In 1773 he published another edition of his uncle's Plans, &c. of Holkham
Holkham Hall
Holkham Hall is an eighteenth-century country house located adjacent to the village of Holkham, on the north coast of the English county of Norfolk...
, also, like it, in atlas folio, "to which are added the ceilings and chimney-pieces, and also a descriptive account of the statues, pictures, and drawings, not in the former edition." Of the Descriptive Account Brettingham was the author; but, again, the plans are ascribed to Matthew Brettingham, and William Kent
William Kent
William Kent , born in Bridlington, Yorkshire, was an eminent English architect, landscape architect and furniture designer of the early 18th century.He was baptised as William Cant.-Education:...
is ignored as in the former edition.
Works
The sudden death in 1790 of William BlackburnWilliam Blackburn
William Blackburn was the leading prison architect of the Georgian Era. Following the principles of John Howard, his designs aimed to provide inmates with dry and airy cells....
, the prison architect, was the opportunity of Brettingham's life, and he soon gained a lucrative practice. Blackburn left many designs incomplete, several of which Brettingham subsequently carried into execution. He erected gaols at Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
, Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
, Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
, Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, and elsewhere.
In 1771 his name appears associated with those of the foremost architects of the time in the foundation of an Architects' Club, which met at the Thatched House Tavern to dine on the first Thursday in every month. Among the original members of this club besides Brettingham were Sir William Chambers
William Chambers (architect)
Sir William Chambers was a Scottish architect, born in Gothenburg, Sweden, where his father was a merchant. Between 1740 and 1749 he was employed by the Swedish East India Company making several voyages to China where he studied Chinese architecture and decoration.Returning to Europe, he studied...
, Robert Adam
Robert Adam
Robert Adam was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him...
, John Soane
John Soane
Sir John Soane, RA was an English architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style. His architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines, massing of simple form, decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light sources...
, James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Wyatt RA , was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the neoclassical style, who far outdid Adam in his work in the neo-Gothic style.-Early classical career:...
, and Samuel Pepys Cockerell
Samuel Pepys Cockerell
Samuel Pepys Cockerell was an English architect. He was the son of John Cockerell, of Bishop's Hull, Somerset, and the brother of Sir Charles Cockerell, 1st Baronet, for whom he designed the house he is best known for, Sezincote House, Gloucestershire, where the uniquely Orientalizing features...
, all of whom made names for themselves in their profession. About this time Brettingham also held the post of resident clerk in the Board of Works, which he resigned in 1805.
Among his chief works for private patrons are a temple in the grounds at Saffron Walden in Essex for Lord Braybrooke, and a mausoleum in Scotland for the Fraser family; Winchester House, St. James's Square
St. James's Square
St. James's Square is the only square in the exclusive St James's district of the City of Westminster. It has predominantly Georgian and neo-Georgian architecture and a private garden in the centre...
, erected originally for the Duke of Leeds
Duke of Leeds
Duke of Leeds was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1694 for the prominent statesman Thomas Osborne, 1st Marquess of Carmarthen...
; 9 Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square is a town square in the West End of London, England, in the City of Westminster. It was originally laid out in the mid 18th century by architect William Kent...
, afterwards sold to the Marquis of Buckingham; Buckingham House, 91 Pall Mall
Pall Mall, London
Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...
, rebuilt in 1794 by Sir John Soane; Lansdowne House
Lansdowne House
Lansdowne House is a building to the southwest of Berkeley Square in central London, England. It was designed by Robert Adam as a private house and for most of its time as a residence it belonged to the Petty family, Marquesses of Lansdowne. Since 1935, it has been the home of the Lansdowne Club....
, Berkeley Square; 80 Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
, for Sir Francis Burdett; Charlton, Wiltshire, for the Earl of Suffolk
Earl of Suffolk
Earl of Suffolk is a title that has been created four times in the Peerage of England. The first creation, in tandem with the creation of the title of Earl of Norfolk, came before 1069 in favour of Ralph the Staller; but the title was forfeited by his heir, Ralph de Guader, in 1074...
; Waldersham, Kent, for the Earl of Guilford
Earl of Guilford
Earl of Guilford is a title that has been created three times in British history. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1660 for Elizabeth Boyle. She was the daughter of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh, and the widow of Lewis Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of...
; Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century country house located in Felbrigg, Norfolk, England. Part of a National Trust property, the unaltered 17th-century house is noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior...
, Norfolk, for the Hon. W. Wyndham
William Frederick Wyndham
The Hon. William Frederick Wyndham was an English aristocrat and diplomat.William Frederick Wyndham was the son of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont and Hon. Alicia Maria Carpenter, daughter of George Carpenter, 2nd Baron Carpenter and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte...
; Longleat
Longleat
Longleat is an English stately home, currently the seat of the Marquesses of Bath, adjacent to the village of Horningsham and near the towns of Warminster in Wiltshire and Frome in Somerset. It is noted for its Elizabethan country house, maze, landscaped parkland and safari park. The house is set...
, Wiltshire; and Roehampton, Surrey, and Hillsborough House in Ireland, both for the Marquess of Downshire
Marquess of Downshire
Marquess of Downshire is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1789 for Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough, a former Secretary of State....
. He is also supposed by some to have designed Maidenhead Bridge
Maidenhead Bridge
Maidenhead Bridge is a Grade I listed bridge carrying the A4 road over the River Thames between Maidenhead, Berkshire and Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. It crosses the Thames on the reach above Bray Lock, about half a mile below Boulter's Lock.-History:...
, on the Thames; but this is believed to be a mistake, the authorship of that design, which was executed in 1772, being invariably ascribed by the best authorities to Sir Robert Taylor. Brettingham was held in much regard by his professional brethren, and was the esteemed master of many who have since attained eminence in the architectural profession. The exact date of his death is not known.