Inigo Jones Architect of the Ages

Part I: Biography

Life Span: July 15, 1573 to June 21, 1652 (aged 79

Born and died in London, England, but he traveled around Europe, staying in places such as France, Italy, and Denmark

Studied architecture and theater design in Italy; supposedly a carpenter's apprentice

Not much is known about his early life, but his later life was fraught with conflict and religious tension. (Not unusual for citizens when their country is caught in a civil war!)

Part II: Clients and Works

Some well-known patrons are:

Queen Anne of Denmark

King Charles I of England

William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke

Three of Jones' famous works as an architect:

Queen's House (1616-1635)

Banqueting Hall at Whitehall Palace (1619-1622)

Queen's Chapel at St. James Palace (1623-1625)

Part III: Queen's House

Construction time: built during 1616-1635

Location: Greenwich, London, United Kingdom

Significance: first Classical building in England; built in English Palladian style

Description: The Queen’s House in Greenwich was one of, if not the first, English building constructed in a Classical-themed style. There are many visible influences from Greco-Roman architecture: a multitude of columns, a symmetrical design, and proportional precision. It was the prime example of English Palladian architecture, a style where symmetry, value, and perspective were prized and heavily put to use.

Which "ism"?: Classicalism--the inspiration was drawn from Greek and Roman architecture: lots of columns, symmetrical design, proportionality

My Perspective: I find the Queen’s House’s status as the first Classical building in England to be particularly intriguing, and am frankly overwhelmed (in a good way!) with all the design influences taken from ancient buildings, such as temples, and put to use in fully functional contemporary buildings today.

Part IV: Works Cited

Notes

CAST, DAVID. "Inigo Jones." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World, edited by Jonathan Dewald, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004. Biography in Context, Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.

"Inigo Jones." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.

"Inigo Jones." International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture, Gale, 1993. Biography in Context, Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.

"Inigo Jones." International Dictionary of Theatre, vol. 3, Gale, 1996. Biography in Context, Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.

Photos

Banqueting House. Digital Image. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2016.

Gheeraerts, Marcus, The Younger. "Portrait of Anne of Denmark, Queen of England." 1614. File:Attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger Anne of Denmark.jpg. Wikimedia Commons, 1 Feb. 2014. Web. 3 Dec. 2016.

Mythens, Daniel. "Oil Portrait of William Herbert." 1625. File:William Herbert 3rd Earl of Pembroke.jpg. Wikimedia Commons, 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2016.

Portrait of Inigo Jones; Celeberrimvs Vir Inigo Iones Praefectvs Architectvrae (Inigo Jones, celebrated as a prefect architect). Digital Image. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2016.

Queen’s Chapel at St. James’ Palace. Digital Image. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2016.

The Queen's House. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2016.

The Queen's House -- North Front. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2016.

Van Honthorst, Gerrit. "Portrait of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland." 1628. File:King Charles I by Gerrit Van Honthorst Sm.jpg. Wikimedia Commons, 26 Oct. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2016.

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