The Country Houses of Sir John Vanbrugh: From the Archives of Country Life [Hardcover]

Jeremy Musson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Country Life | Publication Date: February 1, 2009

The country houses designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726) are some of the most original and memorable works of architecture from the Restoration period. Dubbed “The Shakespeare of Architects” by Sir John Soane, Vanbrugh designed the Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace—two of the great iconic houses of their age—as well as a number of astounding country estates such as Seaton Delaval Hall and Grimsthorpe Castle. Vanbrugh’s life was perhaps even more remarkable than his architectural creations. He began his career as a merchant and traveled to India in the service of the East India Company, served as an army officer, was arrested as a civilian in France and imprisoned on suspicion of being a spy, and worked as both a playwright and theatrical impresario before turning his lively mind to architecture. Collected here are 200 of the finest photographs of Vanbrugh’s astounding country houses accompanied by well-researched accounts explaining the ideas behind and impact of his great estates and landscapes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeremy Musson is a former architectural editor for Country Life and the author of The English Manor House, How to Read a Country House, and Plasterwork.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Aurum Press (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845130979
• ISBN-13: 978-1845130978
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sumptuous Presentation, March 24, 2009

By 

Sargent - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Country Houses of Sir John Vanbrugh: From the Archives of Country Life (Hardcover)

For those unfamiliar with the "From the Archives of Country Life ..." books, it is a tasteful series of fine architectural volumes that presents well composed black and white photos from articles originally appearing in the magazine of that name. Occasionally, as in the present volume, the archival material is supplemented by new color photography and current texts which do reference the former articles and commentary.

Vanbrugh's almost meteoric rise to fame rests on remarkably few commissions, but such were their scale and detail that it is easy to comprehend how fully they must have occupied his time. This book exclusively features his country estates. The fine selection of images range from full buildings in their park-like settings to close ups of carvings, moldings, ironwork and numerous other features, all combining to present a thorough picture of Vanbrugh's capabilities as an architect. The text is kept at a reasonable minimum, allowing the images to tell the splendid story without clutter.

This sumptuous and handsome volume perfectly complements the grandeur of two of Vanbrugh's most important houses, Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. It is a fine addition to the 'Country Life' Series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VANBRUGH, March 7, 2009

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Country Houses of Sir John Vanbrugh: From the Archives of Country Life (Hardcover)

Of course, any discussion of Vanbrugh begins and ends with his twin masterpieces; Blenheim and Castle Howard. Blenheim is the largest private house in Britain, it is steeped in history; starting with it's first owner Lord Marlborough, the British military Icon, this was a gift to him, given by the a most appreciative Queen Anne. This book gives due focus to Blenheim, but really it's best is saved for the specatcular Castle Howard outside of York, most know of this estate to end all estates from the miniseries and subsequent film Brideshead Revisited, both of which were obviously adapted for Evelyn Waugh's English literary classic. The images in this book are excellent and though as mentioned, Blenheim and Castle Howard get pride of place, this book is comprehensive and discusses and illustrates other works by Vanbrugh in the English country house venacular. If you have any interest in Vanbrugh or Castle Howard and Blenheim or great English country houses i general then I cannot conceive of you not being pleased with this book.