Should I succeed in kindling for the arts a more intense and universal love, when comes the hour of death, I shall think I have not lived in vain.
So said Thomas Hope (1769-1831), the Dutch born designer, author and patron of the arts, who would become one of the greatest proponents of the Regency style in England.
In 1807 Hope bought The Deepdene, a country house in Surrey, which was destined to become one of the most inventive and arresting country houses of its time. The only surviving record of its splendour is a set of watercolours and drawings executed for a book that was never published.
The Deepdene, Surrey
Entrance Court, Looking Towards the Tower
Chimney Piece in the Library
The Small Drawing Room
Theatre of the Arts
Steps to the Conservatory
For John Britton, Illustrations of the Deepdene, Seat of T. Hope Esqre.
By William Henry Bartlett (1809-54)
1825-6
Watercolour and pen and wash on paper
London Borough of Lambeth, Archives Department
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Tuesday, 16 December 2008
A little Hope
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4 comments:
who knew ???
what an interesting post !
i love anything design and the arts that is educational .
the drawings are great.
thank you
renee
I could just about feel the breeze as I walked in and out of the Theatre of the Arts. What a stunning space! What I particularly noticed in these last images is the change in levels (and all those Chinese garden seats — used half as seating and half as sculpture). And Solsbury Hill as well! I could not begin my day with anything more delightful — thanks.
Wow... i didn't know about this house. Very interesting architecture.
The colours of the drawing room are astoundingly good.
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