Castle Howard is the jewel in the crown of the English country house, designed by the “Rockstar of the English Baroque”, Sir John Vanbrugh. After a meeting of minds with the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, Charles Howard, at the Kit-Cat Club in London, the patron and architect became lifelong friends and the seeds of Castle Howard and its beautiful grounds were sown.
Now, 300 years after Vanbrugh’s death in 1726, Castle Howard is presenting Staging the Baroque: Vanbrugh at Castle Howard, the first of a year-long of celebratory events, allowing audiences to engage with and learn about this larger-than-life character, Vanbrugh, and his relationship with Castle Howard.
Castle Howard as depicted in Vitruvius Britannicus (The British Architect) by Colen Campbell (1725. Par of the Castle Howard Collection.
This first exhibition not only celebrates the architect’s genius, but also highlights the relationship between the house and the landscape beyond. Once described as “Rome under a Yorkshire sky”, Castle Howard was born of the shared vision of two remarkable men: Sir John Vanbrugh, playwright, adventurer, soldier, spy, diplomat and, ultimately, architect; and his patron and friend Charles Howard, newly returned from his Grand Tour and enthralled by the classical architecture of Ancient Rome. Together, they gave England one of its most theatrical expressions of the Baroque.
Roz Barr has designed and curated the exhibition to honour the life and works of Vanbrugh, celebrating his bold theatrical vision for what would become one of Europe’s most iconic stately homes. Castle Howard is possibly the most poetic and enchanting of his creations. Roz hopes that the show helps to “Inspire visitors to explore the grounds and appreciate the impact of the house, with its grand elevations and imposing dome, against the backdrop to trees, water, sculpture and other buildings such as his Temple of the Four Winds and distant monuments.”
L-R: Exterior Castle Howard (© Mattia Aquila); The Great Hall ( © Chris Horwood); and The Temple of the Four Winds ( © Mattia Aquila).
Barr took special care to highlight the relationship between the house, its creator and its patron. You can read the letters written by Vanbrugh to the Earl, which hint at the closeness of their relationship. A glimpse at the Earl’s accounts will leave you wondering how such masterpieces could have been built, when costing £78,240 – a mer £22 million today. Was the 3rd Earl a master of money or a lucky gambler?
Also on show is a large-scale model of the Castle Howard Estate. Laid out to the exact proportions, set so visitors can look through the window towards the Atlas Fountain and the Harksmoor’s Pyramid, which leaves you wondering how Vanbrugh, who had never built anything before, could have created such splendour.
Take your time to wander through the entire house. Admire the restored dome, destroyed by fire in 1941, and then enjoy the exhibition in rooms, which, although are yet to be restored to their former glory, give you a fascinating insight into the bones of this incredible building.
Installation view of the model of Castle Howard (left) and of Staging the Baroque: Vanbrugh at Castle Howard ( © Carole Poirot).
Vanbrugh pleaded with the 3rd Earl to complete the house before he died, but the Earl had become distracted creating the gardens; tragically, neither ever saw the completion of Castle Howard. Building started in 1699 and took over 100 years, three Earls and several architects to complete, with the final alteration by Burne-Jones in 1870 in the Arts and Crafts style chapel.
Nicholas and Elizabeth Howard have said, “It was Vanbrugh’s vision that brought Castle Howard to life, and now the House has the honour of celebrating its creator.”
Visit Castle Howard this year and discover something for every generation, from interactive play installations and storytelling to the chance to explore the Library of the Four Winds.
Plan your visit and get your tickets, HERE.
Author: Rebecca Dickson
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