William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain, V&A

Prepare yourself a visual feast at the upcoming V&A exhibition William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain

Coinciding with the tercentenary of George I’s accession to the throne in 1714, and put together in collaboration with The Bard Centre in New York, this exhibition examines the crucial role played by eminent architect William Kent in developing what is now called ‘Georgian’ design.      

A Yorkshireman from Bridlington (born circa 1685), Kent was originally a sign and coach painter but spent his early career from 1709-1719 in Italy under the patronage of several Yorkshire gentlemen who recognised his talent. He studied the art of the old masters, absorbed the Roman and Renaissance architectural backdrop and learnt etching and engraving techniques. His time in Italy was transformative with regard to his concept of good design.

The exhibition notes the importance of Kent’s close relationship with Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, whom he met and befriended whilst in Italy and who subsequently became his lifelong patron. This relationship opened many doors to Kent and propelled him into the upper echelons of Georgian society. It introduced him, most importantly, to the new King George I at a time when the new monarch was seeking to establish himself and assert his influence. Fortunately for Kent, art and ‘statement’ architecture were a means of achieving this. 

Kent applied himself not only to the architecture of buildings but also to their interiors and their landscapes. The curators of the exhibition have been busy gathering the 200-odd objects for the exhibition from some of the noteworthy buildings around the country that Kent designed and renovated. Meanwhile, the exhibition's designers have painstakingly colour-matched the backdrops of the exhibition to the original sumptuous Georgian interiors, such that the objects feel as if in a real ‘second home’. 

The exhibition showcases Kent’s enormous visual flair and wide ranging design versatility through gilded furniture from Burlington’s own Chiswick House as well as furniture and items from both Holkham and Houghton Halls in Norfolk. Look out for a beautiful Baroque/Rococo-inspired gilded mirror and the plans for a Royal Barge - both of which Kent was commissioned to design by Frederick, Prince of Wales. The original plans for Horse Guards, designs for the Stanhope memorial in Westminster Abbey and imagery detailing Kent’s Royal commissions for several key rooms at Kensington Palace will also be on show.

This is an opulent spectacle which the V&A’s curators hope will reawaken interest in the work of the man who played such an important role in shaping Georgian Britain - an era from which design ideas and philosophies continue to play their part in shaping our world today.