Secrets of London: Chiswick House & Gardens
If we are looking for an architectural jewel with a Palladian aesthetic in London, that is the Chiswick House. This 18th century residence was designed by Lord Burlington inspired by those classicist forms that the Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508 – 1580) used in Villa Capra, near Vicenza. Its classicism of balanced proportions was completely opposite to the rich ornamentation of the Renaissance style of the moment.
Lord Burlington wanted to recreate a Roman villa in England as a retreat on the outskirts of London and to house his large library and extensive art collection. Although, today, the Chiswick House is completely integrated into the city.
The house is elevated on a kind of podium and is accessed by a double staircase. The Corinthian columns of the portico are topped by a triangular pediment as if it were a small temple.
The greenhouse is without doubt the English touch.
If you want to know more about the Palladian style in England, I recommend that you access the excellent explanation of the National Trust.
