Robert adam designed and built a number of romantic neogothic castles, mostly dating from the 1780s, in scotland. Charles is a recognized authority on fine furniture, and is the past chairman of bernice bienenstock furniture library, high point, n. Robert and james published a book entitled the works in architecture in instalments between 1773 and 1779. The brothers adam or robert adam styles reigned from 1762 until 1792. Weve come a long way since then and currently its a bookshop, cafeteria and a meeting place for minds that think alike. The works in architecture of robert and james adam, one of the most celebrated books in architectural history, consists of the brothers own selections of illustrations from their. The works in architecture of robert and james adam ebook. The name of robert adam may not be a household word at least not outside the uk, but if you want to visit stately homes throughout britain you will inevitably and repeatedly meet up with it. Egyptian, asian persian and chinese, greek, and gothic. The most comprehensive general work on the furniture, including neoclassic work by chippendale, is clifford musgrave, adam and hepplewhite and other neoclassical furniture 1966.
Robert and james adam rare book collections national library. The adam style is an 18thcentury neoclassical style of interior design and architecture, as practised by the three scottish brothers robert adam 17281792, james. Seats of the aristocracy such as those of the duke of northumberland. Furniture design has been a part of the human experience since the beginning of history. Part of the history of art, architecture, and archaeology commons. Mar 21, 2017 although robert adam was an architect in the 1700s, many of his homes are still aroundand drawing attentioncenturies later. List of books and articles about robert adam online research. Furniture has been made in a great variety of materials and decorated by many methods, the most usual being inlaying, painting or gilding, wood carving, veneering, and marquetry. The adam style or adamesque and style of the brothers adam is an 18thcentury neoclassical style of interior design and architecture, as practised by the three scottish brothers robert adam 17281792, james adam 17321794 and william adam, of whom robert and james were the most widely known.
Understanding the american federal furniture period. Discover librarianselected research resources on robert adam from the. Extensive historical data are presented meticulously, and the graphic. Thomas jefferson owned three copies of palladios books and used palladian ideals in. Jun 27, 2019 robert adam 17281792 was an influential neoclassical architect.
The furniture of robert adam hardcover january 1, 1973 by eileen harris author see all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Adam, robert and james the works in architecture of robert and james adam, 3 vols 17731822, republished 1975 by academy editions with an introductory essay by. This opened the door for neoclassical style, in both architecture and design, in the united states and abroad. He was the son of william adam 16891748, the countrys foremost architect of the time, and trained under him. The furniture of robert adam eileen harris not in library. Thomas chippendale, george hepplewhite, thomas sheraton and last but not least robert adam. Robert adam office, chair bottom for mrs montagu, 1766.
The father of roberts books is journalist robert cottrell, who has written extensively for the economist. Bolton, 2 books fleming, john, 2 books robert adam, 1. Even the most cursory glance through one of the waste books, letter books or estimate sketch books launches the researcher deep into the hardnosed, tightfisted core of eighteenthcentury furniture making. Robert and james published a book entitled the works in architecture in. Welcome to robert adam furniture cotheridge, worcestershire. We specialise in the design and manufacture of handmade bespoke furniture for bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, lounge and home offices. Robert adam added his name to complete the list of the four masters of furniture design. The synthesis of architecture, planning and decoration. Robert adams name is known as much for his work in interior decoration and. These excavations and findings of the 1750s had a large influence on his work. Robert adam 17281792 was an influential neoclassical architect. While he was there a large amount of excavation work was taking place, especially around pompeii. The chairs legs have castors small wheels, thus it could easily be moved into the required place for group conversation. They designed important public and private buildings in england and scotland and numerous interiors, pieces of.
The list includes books on furniture designed by artists donald. Robert adam designed and built a number of romantic neogothic castles, mostly dating from the. In its gradual evolution from periods of earliest civilization, the. As the most important seating furniture in the house, it was designed by the architect responsible for the alterations and decoration of the house, robert adam 17281792. The second surviving son of william adam, he matriculated at. Robert adam 1728 1792 was a scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. Beard, 2 books john swarbrick, 2 books percy fitzgerald, 2 books joseph rykwert, 2 books arthur t. Dating from the 1770s, these 106 illustrated plates epitomize the style that influenced generations of british and american architectural and furniture. Adams company tended to produce designs for all elements of a room. Gilt wood with pale gold brocade upholstery edged with gold band. They designed important public and private buildings in england and scotland and numerous interiors, pieces of furniture, and decorative objects. The first systematic study of the furniture designed by robert adam is eileen harris, the furniture of robert adam 1963.
Robert adam 1728 92 was one of the most important british architects. Family historyrobert adams careeradams architectural influencefurniture designspractical applicationthe style and its motif the adam influence, or the inspiration of the brothers adam, upon. Mar 27, 2017 robert adam is the definitive book on the most influential english country house architect and designer. His major architectural works include public buildings especially in london, and his designs were used for.
Robert adam 1728 1792 68 works search for books with subject robert adam. During their lifetime robert and james adam published two volumes of their designs, works in architecture of robert and james adam in 17731778 and 1779. The house has a beautiful robert adam interior, a conservatory that was the inspiration behind crystal palace and a very colourful history. As a designer of furniture, too, adam played a leading role and was prolific, turning his hand to everything from organ cases and sedan chairs to saltcellars and door fittings. This style is more modest and muted than the conspicuous display of wealth that the rococo era of the late 1700s exuded.
Here you can see one of the best and most complete rooms designed by architect robert adam, finished in. Jan 11, 2012 syon house london home of the duke of northumberland in brentford, greater london tw8 8jf duration. This book of engraved designs made the adam repertory available throughout europe. Less than 10 miles from central london lies syon house a beacon of tranquillity and one of britains best preserved stately homes. The works in architecture of robert and james adam, one of the most celebrated books in architectural history, consists of the brothers own selections of illustrations from their commissions.
Here you can see one of the best and most complete rooms designed by architect robert adam, finished in 1772. The family portraits will hang again in osterleys sumptuous interiors by robert adam, the most fashionable architect of the day, along with other works of art and furniture, on a ten year loan. The fabrics for the upholstery and the tapestries that hung on the walls, however, were manufactured at the gobelins in france and incorporate medallions. The objects are typically more extravagant than regency pieces, but they still favor straight lines, twisted fluting, and classicizing motifs.
Eileen harris, 6 books adam, robert, 4 books alistair john rowan, 3 books sir john soanes museum. Books by robert adams author of the coming of the horseclans. Robert adam adm, 172892, and james adam, 173094, scottish architects, brothers. Palladio felt that architecture should be governed by reason. One of the most celebrated of british architects, decorators, and interior designers in the later part of c18. Robert adam frse frs fsa scot fsa frsa 3 july 1728 3 march 1792 was a scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. History of syon house britain magazine the official. Bolton, at the architecture of robert and james adam, 2 vols country life, 1922. Twenty books on furniture design covering topics from classical chinese dressers to contemporary american office chairs. Robert adam is the definitive book on the most influential english country house architect and designer. Robert adams has 53 books on goodreads with 17281 ratings. Family historyrobert adams careeradams architectural influencefurniture designspractical applicationthe style and its motif the adam influence, or the inspiration of the brothers adam, upon art from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present day is recognised by all thoughtful connoisseurs.
Feb 26, 2014 the family portraits will hang again in osterleys sumptuous interiors by robert adam, the most fashionable architect of the day, along with other works of art and furniture, on a ten year loan. But it is the synthesis of architecture, planning and decoration that stands at the heart of adams achievement as eileen harris shows in this elegantly illustrated book. The house has a beautiful robert adam interior, a conservatory that. Elevations, plans, interiors, furniture, fireplaces and more are rendered in the finest detail. We specialise in the design and manufacture of handmade bespoke furniture for bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, lounge and home. The adams main rivals were james wyatt, whose many designs for furniture. This beautifully produced book celebrates the work of robert adam, the great. Western furniture has drawn motifs of ornament from four main sources. The neopalladian style gave way to the innovations of scottish architect and designer robert adam 17281792, whose interiors such as the etruscan dressing room at osterley park, middlesex ca. Scottish architect robert adam, enamored with the roman ruins of pompeii and herculaneum, wrote the works in architecture in 1773. Sutton has written, taught and lectured throughout the u. Robert adam is the only architect whose name appears in the oxford english dictionary to define a distinctive style, not only of architecture, but also of furniture and interior design.
Robert adam furniture bespoke furniture, kitchens, bedrooms. Robert adam, one of the premier architects, furniture designers, and interior designers of his age, was commissioned in 1768 to refurbish part of saltram house in devon. Robert adam, born july 3, 1728, kirkcaldy, fife, scot. Though adams decoration is usually regarded as little more than delicate surface. The neoclassical style is about elegance and sophistication. Having trained under his father william, the leading scottish architect of his time, and been in partnership with his elder brother john, robert established his own architectural practice in london after coming back from his grand tour in 1757. So widespread was his influence as a decorator and furniture designer that his name. So ive chosen to include a page in this section of british history to outline the career of this remarkable scotsman who had so much influence on.
Although robert adam was an architect in the 1700s, many of his homes are still aroundand drawing attentioncenturies later. Adam furniture english period furniture adam furniture mahogany and satinwood 17601792 robert adam was a scottish architect. Adam designs for tables, chairs, screens, book cases, commodes, presses. The furniture style he evolved, popularized by the cabinetmaker george hepplewhite, was. Robert adam designed the ceiling and moldings, and the notable london cabinetmakers william ince active ca. Even the most cursory glance through one of the waste books, letter. Robert adam 3 july 1728 3 march 1792 was a scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. The highlight of any visit to saltram house has to be a visit to the great room the saloon. He was the son of william adam 16891748, scotlands foremost architect of the time, and trained under him. Evidence of furniture survives from as far back as the neolithic period in the form of paintings, wall murals. The brothers adam were not actual furniture makers or designers. With his older brother john, robert took on the family business, which included.
Robert adam, scottish architect and designer who, with his brother james 173094, transformed palladian neoclassicism in england into the airy, light, elegant style that bears their name. There were four brothers in all, but robert and james were the two who began designing furniture. He was the son of william adam 16891748, scotlands foremost architect of the. Robert possessed the great creative talents, with his brother james serving chiefly as his assistant.
Having trained under his father william, the leading scottish architect of his time, and been in partnership with his elder. Essays for the catalogue of the 2002 sir john soanes museum travelling exhibition of the same name. Italian renaissance architecture, and the antique monuments themselves as he. The most important robert adam robert adam furniture design. Robert adams revolution in architecture scholarlycommons. Neoclassical interior style the elegance of the 18th. Adam ronald phillips ltd antique english furniture. This opened the door for neoclassical style, in both architecture.
Furniture design genius timeline bienenstock furniture. So widespread was his influence as a decorator and furniture designer that his name has become a household word. Oct 27, 20 armchair designed by robert adam circa 1775, london, england. His room arrangements, his ornamental ceilings and chimneypieces, and his furniture represent a greater unity and architectonic quality in the ensemble than is to be found in the work of. British designers robert adam, for example often looked to contemporary developments in paris and rome when creating furniture pieces for british consumers. List of books and articles about robert adam online. This beautifully produced book celebrates the work of robert adam, the great eighteenth. Have a cup of coffee or glass of wine while browsing shelves with good selection of new and second hand english language books. Mar 12, 2020 the works in architecture of robert and james adam, one of the most celebrated books in architectural history, consists of the brothers own selections of illustrations from their commissions. Osterley park welcomes home its family portraits art and. From ancient egypt to nineteenthcentury revival styles that characterise the victorian age, furniture.
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