James Wyatt, neoclassical and gothic architect
James Wyatt was a prominent architect of the 18th to the early 19th centuries who worked mostly in the neoclassical style. In this sense, he could be considered a contemporary of other architects who worked in the same idiom.
One of these architects was Robert Adam who had in fact been considered one of Wyatt's closest rivals at least in terms of style, although it must be said that Wyatt's accomplishments clearly surpassed Adam's in the neo-Gothic idiom.
James Wyatt was born on August 3rd, 1746 and by the time he was 20 years of age, he had already spent six years of his life in Italy, beginning in 1762 until 1768. Much of his time there was spent in the company of Richard Bagot from Staffordshire who was employed as a secretary by the Earl of Northampton.
The Earl had an embassy in Venice and Bagot was his emissary. James Wyatt studied architecture while in the Italian city under the tutelage of Antonio Visentini with whom he apprenticed as an architectural draughtsman and painter.
His work with Visentini proved hazardous at times such as when he was tasked to make drawings of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica. To accomplish this, he had to perch precariously on his back on what was little more than a horizontal ladder at a dizzying height of 300 feet from the ground!
Upon Wyatt's return to England, he was fortunate enough to be selected as architect of the proposed "Winter Ranelagh" or Pantheon which was to be built in Oxford Street in London. This was a highly coveted position in the city and Wyatt's appointment made him a huge overnight success.
To be sure, his appointment to the lofty position was met with a measure of criticism not the least of which was levelled against Wyatt's brother Samuel. Samuel Wyatt was one of the proponents of the planned building and many questioned his decision to grant the position to his own brother who was largely unknown at this point. Nevertheless, James Wyatt proceeded with the building work and when the Pantheon was unveiled to public scrutiny in 1772, he had more than proven his worth and the critics were silenced.
The structure became the toast of the fashionable set in the city and no less than Horace Walpole proclaimed the building "the most beautiful edifice in England".
James Wyatt himself enjoyed a great measure of fame after this project and after its exhibition at the Royal Academy the demands for his services came in quick succession. He became an Associate of the Royal Academy where his charm and social grace made him many friends and future benefactors among the city's privileged class.
So greatly valued were Wyatt’s services, that when rumours arose about this planned travel to Russia in order to work as the chief architect to Catherine II, a group of wealthy noblemen reportedly enticed him to stay in their service with a retaining fee of £1,200.
James Wyatt died on September 4th, 1813, due to injuries caused by a carriage accident.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 30/07/2008
