William Kent, Palladian style architect
William Kent was an English architect who was originally from Bridlington in Yorkshire. As well as being an architect, Kent also left his mark in the landscape architecture and furniture design fields.
William Kent was born sometime in the year 1685 and had a somewhat modest entry into the world of architecture as a sign and coach painter. His employer encouraged him to study further and a group of wealthy gentlemen from Yorkshire were so impressed with the potential that Kent showed in his work that they sent him to Rome in order to study art and design in addition to architecture.
It was in Rome that Kent first made the acquaintance of Thomas Coke (who would later become the 1st Earl of Leicester), and together the two men went on a tour of Northern Italy, where Kent was introduced to the architectural style of Andrea Palladio by way of his palaces in Vicenza. This introduction would form the roots of William Kent's later Palladian style of architecture.
While in Italy, Kent also made the acquaintance with another English nobleman named Richard Boyle, who was the 3rd Earl of Burlington, and Boyle soon returned to England with the Kent in tow.
Upon his return to England, Kent replaced Sir James Thornhill in the latter's position as painter and one of his first tasks was to decorate the newly built state rooms at Kensington palace. Kent was also in charge of the decoration work in both the Chiswick and Burlington Houses.
William Kent's greatest claim to fame is probably his role as the central figure in the Palladian style of architecture, which was enjoying a revival of sorts in England. His distinct style within this movement was perhaps best exemplified by his work on the many public buildings in London, which was commissioned by the Board of Works.
While it was Burlington's hearty endorsement of William Kent that won him these commissions, it was undoubtedly Kent's own exceptional talent that secured the resulting structures reputation as some of the finest in the country at the time. Among kent's notable works of this period were the Royal Mews at Charing Cross, which was constructed from 1731 to 1733, the Treasury buildings in Whitehall built from 1733 to 1737) and the Horse Guards building in Whitehall which was built 1750-1759.
This last building was designed by Kent shortly before his death and the Royal Mews were later demolished in 1830. All of these buildings were as much a testament to the Palladian influence that Kent received from Italy as the designs of Raphael and Giulio Romano.
William Kent also worked on a number of country houses among them the Houghton Hall for which he designed the interior. The Holkham Hall, Badminton House and Euston Hall were some of the other country houses that benefited greatly from Kent's distinctive designs.
Kent’s versatility can also be seen in the Gothic style screens, which he built for Gloucester Cathedral and Westminster Hall.
William Kent died on April 12th, 1748.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 30/07/2008
