Palladianism started to become popular in Britain during the 1600s, led by the architect Inigo Jones with the Queen's House as the first English Palladian building, but the Civil War limited its early development.
Palladian architecture is a style based on the work of 16th century Venetian architect Andrea Palladio, who took his inspiration from Ancient Greek and Roman temples.
This classical style, known as Palladianism from the 17th century onwards, became popular in Britain during the 1600s – led by Inigo Jones and his Queen's House, the first English Palladian building.
However, the Civil War and resulting tough economic climate significantly limited the amount of Palladian buildings at this time.
It wasn't until the early 18th century that the style became popular again, with the Third Earl of Burlington sponsoring the architect William Kent who is credited with re-introducing Palladianism in England.
In this article, we'll explain the defining features of Palladian architecture. We'll also highlight some of the beautiful Palladian style antiques in our collection.
Palladian architecture incorporates strict symmetry, classical forms and mathematical proportions.
Key takeaways: Palladian style
Palladian architecture is based on Venetian architect Andrea Palladio's work, inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman temples – emphasising symmetry, perspective and classical proportions.
Palladianism started to become popular in Britain during the 1600s, led by architect Inigo Jones with the Queen's House as the first English Palladian building.
William Kent revived the style in the 18th century under the patronage of the Third Earl of Burlington, blending classical Palladian principles with Italian Baroque influences for interiors.
Robert Adam and his brother further developed Palladianism into neoclassical architecture, designing prominent country houses such as Kenwood House and Kedleston Hall.
The typical Palladian style features symmetrical exteriors with temple-like facades and classical columns, with notable British examples including Chiswick House, Stourhead and Holkham Hall.
Palladian meaning: What is Palladian architecture?
Palladio himself used the symmetry, perspective and values of classical Greek and Roman architecture to inform his own architectural concepts and design. He wanted to emulate the grandeur of classical buildings in his work.
His approach followed the one defined by Roman architect Vitruvius (from 80 BC), adhering to principles of classical architecture based on mathematical proportions rather than the ornamental Renaissance style.
Palladio recorded his principles in the 1570 illustrated study, I quattro libri dell'architettura (which translates as The Four Books of Architecture), translated and published in England from 1715 onwards.
William Kent and the Palladian style
British architect Kent studied painting in Italy from 1709 to 1719. In these years, young English aristocrats took part in Grand Tours throughout France and Italy, often culminating in a visit to Rome – here, Kent met the Third Earl of Burlington.
Kent returned to England with Burlington and decorated Burlington House in London. He would be crucial in creating a unique design aesthetic for the era, often dubbed Anglo-Palladian.
By the 1730s, Kent had become one of the most successful designers of the period. He and Burlington's revival of Palladian style was popular with the aristocrats who had also embraced the culture of Italy on their Grand Tours.
The outsides of Palladian buildings were often austere but had a lavishly decorated interior, with Kent's blend of the classical and Italian Baroque styles clear for all to see inside. For more detail, read our full guide – What is The William Kent Style In Antiques?
Kent returned to England with Burlington and decorated Burlington House in London. He would be crucial in creating a unique design aesthetic for the era, often dubbed Anglo-Palladian.
Robert Adam and Palladianism
Born in 1728, Robert Adam helped to pioneer the rise of Palladian Neoclassicism in England alongside his brother James Adam.
They were the sons of renowned architect William Adam, who was the master mason for a government body the Board of Ordnance.
This led to his supervision of the construction of country houses and military buildings in the Palladian style.
Similar to Kent, a Grand Tour of Europe (in the 1750s) allowed Robert Adam to see the inspiring sights of the Roman Empire and Renaissance architecture.
On his return, the Adam brothers designed numerous country houses in a neoclassical architecture style, including Kenwood House in London and Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.
To find out more, take a look at our article Robert Adam: a genius contribution to the neoclassical style.
Other notable British proponents of the Palladian style
The publication of several books in the early 1700s were behind the rise of British Palladian architecture, including Palladio's study. There was also The Designs of Inigo Jones... with Some Additional Designs, published by Kent in 1727.
One of the most popular was Vitruvius Britannicus (The British Architect), published by the Scottish architect Colen Campbell in 1715 onwards. Based on the book's popularity, Campbell became the architect for Henry Hoare I's house in Stourhead, Wiltshire and designed it in the Palladian style.
Another interesting example is Charles Cameron, a Scottish architect whose greatest work was completed in Russia. He designed Pavlovsk Palace in a Palladian manner – read more in our Charles Cameron article.
Palladian antiques in our collection
Kent-style antiques often have sculptural elements or ornamentation consistent with the Italian Baroque style – this Kent-style Palladian fireplace is a perfect example.
The antique above has a striking resemblance to the Red Dining Room chimneypiece at Raynham Hall, designed by Inigo Jones in the late 17th century.
The use of white statuary marble is a clear imitation of ancient buildings and the jambs are reminiscent of classical Ionic and Corinthian capitals. The floral frieze at the top of the fireplace is classically inspired but also indicative of the rich ornamentation of Italian Baroque.
This grand 20th century fossil stone Palladian-style fire surround is removed from the Banqueting Hall of the Worshipful Company of Leatherers, an ancient Guild institution in the City of London.
The large white statuary marble shelf is supported on a fossil stone frieze centred by a Verde Tinos green marble plaque, flanked by scrolled stone and green marble brackets. The substantial lower frieze is supported on either side by large scrolled consoles.
This rare George II Minto House fireplace mantel is an English Rococo chimneypiece with Palladian influences, carved in white statuary marble and also inlaid with panels of Verde Tinos marble.
It was selected by the Fourth Earl of Minto for the Octagonal Drawing Room of Minto House by the decorators W. Turner Lord & Company, of 120 Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London. The estimate for the works was dated 18 September 1891.
Beyond fireplaces, here is a large pair of brass lion chenets in the Palladian manner of Louis XIV. Each lion stands on a shaped fluted plinth supporting an armorial shield.
A well-known example of Palladian style is Chiswick House in West London, designed in the 18th century with its emphasis on symmetry, classical temple-front porticos, and harmonious proportions.
FAQs: Palladian architecture
What defines Palladian architecture?
Palladian architecture incorporates strict symmetry, classical forms and mathematical proportions. It draws direct inspiration from the works of 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio and ancient Greek and Roman traditions. Hallmarks include temple-like facades with columns and pediments, plain exteriors, and features such as Venetian windows.
What is the difference between Palladian and Neoclassical?
Palladian architecture is defined by its restrained use of classical elements, symmetry and mathematical proportion. Neoclassical architecture is a broader movement that emerged later, embracing grandeur, scale and lavish detail based on the wider legacy of Greek and Roman antiquity. Neoclassical buildings tend to be more ornate and monumental, whereas Palladian design remains simpler and more focused on equal proportion and elegance.
What is an example of a Palladian style?
A well-known example of Palladian style is Chiswick House in West London, designed in the 18th century with its emphasis on symmetry, classical temple-front porticos, and harmonious proportions. Other notable examples include Villa Capra in Vicenza, Italy and Queen's House in Greenwich, London.
Final thoughts
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