Robert Adam

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Robert Adam

Portrait attributed to George Willison, c. 1770-1775
Born 3 July 1728
Kirkcaldy, Fife [1]
Died 3 March 1792(1792-03-03) (aged 63)
London
Nationality Scottish
Work
Buildings Syon House
Culzean Castle
Kedleston Hall
Pulteney Bridge
Harewood House
Charlotte Square

Robert Adam FRSE FRS FSA(Scot) FSA (3 July 1728 – 3 March 1792) was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam (1689–1748), the country's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him. With his older brother John, Robert took on the family business, which included lucrative work for the Board of Ordnance, after William's death.

In 1754 he left for Rome, spending nearly five years on the continent studying architecture under Charles-Louis Clérisseau and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. On his return to Britain he established a practice in London, where he was joined by his younger brother James. Here he developed the "Adam Style", and his theory of "movement" in architecture, based on his studies of antiquity and became one of the most successful and fashionable architects in the country. Adam held the post of Architect of the Kings Works from 1761 to 1769.

Robert Adam was leader of the first phase of the classical revival in England and Scotland from around 1760 until his death.[2] He influenced the development of Western architecture, both in Europe and in North America. Adam designed interiors and fittings as well as houses.[3]

He served as the Member of Parliament for Kinross-shire (1768-74).[4]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Blackfriars Monastery, Edinburgh, site of the Edinburgh High School until 1777

Adam was born at Gladney House in Kirkcaldy, Fife, although the family moved to Edinburgh later that same year.[1] As a child he was noted as having a "feeble constitution".[5] From the age of six Adam attended the Royal High School, Edinburgh where he learned Latin until he was fifteen. In autumn 1743 he matriculated at Edinburgh University, and attended classes including mathematics, taught by Colin Maclaurin, and anatomy, taught by Alexander Monro primus. His studies were interrupted by the arrival of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Highlanders, who occupied Edinburgh during the 1745 Jacobite rising. At the end of the year, Robert fell seriously ill for some months, and it seems unlikely that he returned to university, having completed only two years of study.[6]

On his recovery from illness in 1746, he joined his elder brother John as apprentice to his father. He assisted William Adam on projects such as the building of Inveraray Castle and the continuing extensions of Hopetoun House. William's position as Master Mason to the Board of Ordnance also began to generate much work, as the Highlands were fortified following the failed Jacobite revolt. Robert's early ambition was to be an artist rather than architect, and the style of his early sketches in the manner of Salvator Rosa are reflected in his earliest surviving architectural drawings, which show picturesque gothic follies.[7] William Adam died in June 1748, and left Dowhill, a part of the Blair Adam estate which included a tower house, to Robert.

[edit] Architectural practice in Edinburgh

Entrance front of Hopetoun House, designed by William Adam and modified by the Adam Brothers

On William Adam's death, John Adam inherited both the family business and the position of Master Mason to the Board of Ordnance. He immediately took Robert into partnership, later to be joined by James Adam. The Adam Brothers' first major commission was the decoration of the grand state apartments on the first floor at Hopetoun House, followed by their first "new build" at Dumfries House. For the Board of Ordnance, the brothers were the main contractor at Fort George, a large modern fort near Inverness designed by military engineer Colonel Skinner. Visits to this project, begun in 1750, would occupy the brothers every summer for the next ten years, and, along with works at many other barracks and forts, provided Robert with a solid foundation in practical building.[8]

In the winter of 1749–1750, Adam travelled to London with his friend, the poet John Home. He took the opportunity for architectural study, visiting Wilton, designed by Inigo Jones, and the Queens Hermitage in Richmond by Roger Morris. His sketchbook of the trip also shows a continuing interest in gothic architecture.[9]

Among his friends at Edinburgh were the philosophers Adam Ferguson and David Hume and the artist Paul Sandby whom he met in the Highlands. Other Edinburgh acquaintances included Gilbert Elliot, William Wilkie, John Home and Alexander Wedderburn.[7]

Kedleston Hall. The south front by Robert Adam, based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome

[edit] Grand Tour

In 1754, Robert Adam set off for Europe on the Grand Tour of France and Italy, in the company of Charles Hope-Weir, brother of the Earl of Hopetoun. Hope agreed to take Adam on the tour at the suggestion of his uncle, the Marquess of Annandale, who had undertaken the Grand Tour himself. Adam met Hope-Weir in France, and they travelled on to Italy together, before falling out in Rome over travelling expenses and accommodation. Robert Adam stayed on in Rome until 1757, studying classical architecture and honing his drawing skills. His tutors included the French architect and artist Charles-Louis Clérisseau, and the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Here, he became acquainted with the work of the pioneering classical archaeologist and art historian, theorist Johann Joachim Winckelmann. On his return journey, Adam and Clerisseau spent time intensively studying the ruins of Diocletian's Palace at Spalato in Dalmatia (now known as Split, in modern Croatia).[10] These studies were later published as Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia in 1764.

[edit] Architectural practice in London

He returned to Great Britain in 1758 and set up in business in London with his brother James Adam. They focused on designing complete schemes for the decoration and furnishing of houses. Palladian design was popular, and Robert designed a number of country houses in this style,[11] but Robert evolved a new, more flexible style incorporating elements of classical Roman design alongside influences from Greek, Byzantine and Baroque styles.[12] The Adam brothers' success can also be attributed to a desire to design everything down to the smallest detail, ensuring a sense of unity in their design.

[edit] Public life

One of Adam's masterpieces: Pulteney Bridge, Bath

Adam was elected a member of the Royal Society of Arts in 1758 and of the Society of Antiquaries in 1761, the same year he was appointed Architect of the King’s Works (jointly with Sir William Chambers). His younger brother James succeeded him in this post when he relinquished the role in 1768 in order to devote more time to his elected office as Member of Parliament for Kinross-shire.

[edit] Architectural style

Robert Adam rejected the Palladian style, as introduced to England by Inigo Jones, and advocated by Lord Burlington, as "ponderous" and "disgustful".[13] However, he continued their tradition of drawing inspiration directly from classical antiquity, during his four-year stay in Europe.[13] Through the adoption of classical motifs, Adam developed a new style of architectural decoration.

The Adam brothers' principle of "movement" was largely Robert's conception, although the theory was first written down by James. "Movement" relied on dramatic contrasts and diversity of form, and drew on the picturesque aesthetic. The first volume of the Adam brother's Works (1773) cited Kedleston Hall, designed by Robert in 1761, as an outstanding example of movement in architecture.

By contrasting room sizes and decorative schemes, Adam applied the concept of movement to his interiors also. His style of decoration, described by Pevsner as "Classical Rococo", drew on Roman "grotesque" stucco decoration.[13][14]

[edit] Influence

Robert Adam's work had influenced the direction of architecture across the western world. In North America, the Federal style owes much to neoclassicism as practised by Adam. In Europe, Adam notably influenced Charles Cameron, the Scotsman who designed Tsarskoye Selo and other Russian palaces for Catherine the Great.[15] However, by the time of his death, Adam's neoclassicism was being superseded in Britain by a more severe, Greek phase of the classical revival, as practiced by James "Athenian" Stuart. The Adam brothers employed several draughtsmen who would go on to establish themselves as architects, including George Richardson, and the Italian Joseph Bonomi, who Robert originally hired in Rome.

[edit] Written works

During their lifetime Robert and James Adam published two volumes of their designs, Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam (in 1773-1778 and 1779; a third volume was published posthumously, in 1822).

[edit] Death and burial

Adam had long suffered from stomach and bowel problems,[16] probably caused by a peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. While at home - 11 Albermarle Street, London - on 1 March 1792, one of the ulcers burst, and on 3 March Adam died.[16]

The funeral was held on 10 March; he was buried in the south aisle of Westminster Abbey.[16] The pall-bearers were several of his clients: Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch; George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry; James Maitland, 8th Earl of Lauderdale; David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield; Lord Frederick Campbell and Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet.[16]

Knowing he was dying, he drafted his will on 2 March 1792. Having never married, Adam left his estate to his sisters Elizabeth Adam and Margaret Adam.[16]

He left nearly 9,000 drawings, most of which were subsequently purchased by the architect John Soane and are now at the Soane Museum in London.

[edit] List of architectural works[17]

[edit] Public buildings

  • The City Chambers, Edinburgh

  • Register House, Edinburgh

  • Register House, cross section, Edinburgh

  • Old College Edinburgh, Dome added later

  • The Market Cross, Bury St Edmunds

  • Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, rebuilt

  • Edinburgh Bridewell in foreground, demolished

  • Pulteney Bridge, Bath

  • Little Market Hall, High Wycombe

[edit] Churches

  • Mistley Church as built

  • Mistley Church as it survives

  • St. Andrew's Church Gunton

  • Yester CHapel, west front

[edit] Mausoleums

  • David Hume Mausoleum

  • Templetown Mausoleum

[edit] Urban domestic work

  • North side, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

  • Centre of North side, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

  • Chandos House London

  • Music Room, Home House, London

  • Drawing Room, Home House, London

  • Design for the Etruscan Room, Home House, London

  • Detail of the Etruscan Room, Home House, London

  • Staircase, Home House, London

  • Staircase Dome, Home House, London

  • South side, Fitzroy Square, London

  • East side, Fitzroy Square, London

  • Surviving Adam Houses, Portland Place, London

  • The Adelphi, London, largely demolished

  • Robert Adam ceiling from the Adelphi, now in the V&A

  • Model of the Glass Drawing Room Northumberland House, in the V&A

  • Panels from the Glass Drawing Room Northumberland House, in the V&A

  • Design for fireplaces in the withdrawing room and the Countess of Derby's dressing room, Derby House

  • Drawing Room, Derby House

  • Drawing Room, Derby House

  • Plan, Derby House

  • Ceiling, Countess of Derby's Dressing Room, Derby House

  • Details for Derby House in Grosvenor Square, an example of the Adam Brothers' decorative designs

  • 20 St. James's Square, London, front facade

  • 20 St. James's Square, London, rear facade

  • Dining Room ceiling, 20 St. James's Square, London

  • Music Room ceiling, 20 St. James's Square, London

  • Drawing Room ceiling, 20 St. James's Square, London

[edit] Country houses with major work

  • Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, 1783

  • Paxton House, Berwickshire

  • South front, Kedleston Hall

  • Cross section, Kedleston Hall

  • South front, Stowe House, slightly modified in execution

  • Cross section of Hall, Syon House, London

  • Plan, Syon House, London

  • Kenwood House, London

  • Entrance portico, Kenwood House, London

  • Cross section of the library, Kenwood House, London

  • The library ceiling, Kenwood House, London

  • Nostell Priory, Yorkshire, Adam wing on right

  • Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

  • Pitfour Castle, Tayside

  • Gosford House, wings added in the 1890s

  • Bowood House, Adam's Diocletian wing on left, the main block demolished in 1950s

  • Bowood House, Diocletian wing

  • Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire

  • Harewood House, Yorkshire, altered by Sir Charles Barry

  • Dalquarran Castle, Ayrshire

  • Luton Hoo House, Bedfordshire, altered by Sir Robert Smirke and again in the late 19th century

  • Mellerstain House, Berwickshire

  • Osterley Park, London

[edit] Garden buildings and follies

  • North Lodge, Kedleston Hall 1759
  • Conservatory Croome Park (1760)
  • Rotunda Croome Park, attributed (1760)
  • Old Rectory, Kedleston Hall (c.1761)
  • Entrance screen, Moor Park, Hertfordshire (1763)
  • The Conservatory, Osterley Park (1763)
  • Bridge, Audley End House, Essex (c.1763-64)
  • Tea Pavilion, Moor Park, Hertfordshire (c.1764) demolished
  • Gatehouse Kimbolton Castle (c.1764)
  • Bridge, Kedleston Hall 1764
  • Dunstall 'Castle' and Garden Alcove, Croome Park (1766)
  • Entrance arch, Croome Court (1767)
  • Bridge, Osterley Park (c.1768)
  • Entrance screen, Syon House (1769)
  • Fishing, Boat & Bath House, Kedleston Hall 1770-71
  • Circular Temple, Audley End House, Essex (1771)
  • Lion Bridge, Alnwick (1773)
  • Stag Lodge, Saltram House, Devon (c.1773)
  • The Stables, Featherstone entrance & Huntwick arch Nostell Priory (1776)
  • Wyke Green Lodges, Osterley, Middlesex (1777) remodelled
  • the Home Farm, Culzean Castle, Ayrshire (1777–79)
  • Brizlee Tower, Alnwick, Gothic tower (1777–81)
  • Oswald's Temple, Auchincruive, Ayrshire (1778)
  • 'Ruined' arch and viaduct, Culzean Castle (1780)
  • The semi-circular conservatory, Osterley Park (1780)
  • Tea House Bridge, Audley End House, Essex (1782)
  • Stables, Castle Upton, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim, Ireland.(1788-9) Important range of office buildings in castle style.
  • Montagu Bridge, Dalkeith Palace, Lothian (1792)
  • Loftus Hall, Fethard-on-sea, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Date unknown. Proposed gates.

  • Screen, Syon House, London

  • Gatehouse, Kimbolton Castle

  • Entrance Arch, Croome Park, Worcestershire

  • Garden Alcove, Croome Court, Worcestershire

  • Rotunda, Croome Park, Worcestershire

  • Dunstall "Castle", Croome Court, Worcestershire

  • Brizlee Tower, Alnwick

  • The semi-circular conservatory, Osterley Park

  • Featherstone entrance, Nostell Priory

  • Oswald's Temple, Auchincruive, Ayrshire

  • Kedleston Fishing, Bathing & Boat House

  • Kedleston Bridge

[edit] Country houses with minor work

  • Compton Verney House, wings by Adam

  • Summerhill, Co. Meath, Ireland. Date unknown. Proposed alterations. House now demolished.

[edit] Official appointments

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
James Abercromby		 Member for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire
1768–1774		 Succeeded by
Ralph Abercromby
Government offices
Preceded by
New appointment		 Architect of the King's Works
1761–1769
Served alongside: Sir William Chambers		 Succeeded by
Sir Robert Taylor and James Adam

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b James, Jude (2005). Kirkcaldy: a History & Celebration of the Town. p. 60. ISBN 1845677498. 
  2. ^ Pevsner, p. 237
  3. ^ Adam silver (1953). Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Her Majesty's stationery Office (HMSO), p. 1.
  4. ^ Waterston, Charles D; Macmillan Shearer, A (July 2006). Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index. I. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 9780902198845. http://www.rse.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf. Retrieved 28 December, 2011. 
  5. ^ Fleming, p. 76
  6. ^ Fleming, pp. 79-80
  7. ^ a b Fleming, p. 81
  8. ^ Fleming, pp. 85-86
  9. ^ Fleming, p. 85
  10. ^ C.M. Hogan, "Diocletian's Palace", The Megalithic Portal, A. Burnham ed, 6 Oct 2007
  11. ^ Roth, p. 397
  12. ^ Roth, p. 402
  13. ^ a b c Glendinning and McKechnie, p. 106
  14. ^ Pevsner, p. 238
  15. ^ Glendinning & McKechnie, p. 108
  16. ^ a b c d e Graham, Roderick (2009) Arbiter of Elegance: A Biography of Robert Adam, Birlinn, ISBN 9-781841-588025, pp. 328-329
  17. ^ This list is based on: David King, The Complete Works of Robert & James Adam, 1991 Butterworth

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Robert and James Adam

 Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). "Adam, Robert". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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