Blog Post #12 - English Early and Middle Renaissance

 

The English Early Renaissance included many diverse architectural styles that were categorized by their respective monarchs. First, the Tudor style, during the reign of Henry VII and Edward VI, involved timber framed construction and luxury in aspects such as fireplaces and box-like furniture. Next, the Elizabethan period was characterized by lavish country houses and great halls. Oak paneling, plaster ceilings, and tapestries were important aspects of these spaces. Lastly, the Jacobean style was associated with the reign of King James I and featured heavily carved furniture with spiral turns and upholstery.

The English Middle Renaissance was greatly shaped by Sir Christopher Wren, who established zoning and construction regulations after the Great Fire of 1666. In his publishing, even small details such as floor heights and materials were specified. After this, the William and Mary style, which was inspired by general outlines of Baroque forms without elaborate detailing, rose to popularity. Lastly, the Queen Anne style was shaped by social living and parlor life: tea and game tables and materials from China were very popular.

 

 

Sir Christopher Wren: St. Paul’s Chathedral

 

 

Elizabethan: Hardwick Hall

 

Sir Christopher Wren’s standardized drawings

 

Queen Anne: tea table

 

This modern gaming table has its roots in Queen Anne social parlor tables.

 

A modern version of a Queen Anne chair features the same basic shapes in a lighter wooden frame

 

This modern oak cabinet is a simplified version of Early English Renaissance furniture

 

 

One Step Further

Willaim Kent was born in 1685 and worked as a painter and furniture designer in England. He was also a landscape gardener, and he integrated this knowledge into creating beautiful gardens in his designs. Kent designed Holkman Hall, which introduced the Palladio style to England. This building is constructed of brick and almost no ornamentation on the exterior façade. The rooms were simply furnished and symmetrical by any means necessary, even involving false doors.

 

William Kent

 

Holkman Hall: a very simple brick exterior

 

The floor plan involves four perfectly symmetrical wings

 

The Marble Hall

 

 

Closing Reflection

Overall, the English Early and Middle Renaissance periods involved the standardization of designing styles, largely thanks to the work of Sir Christopher Wren. Also, designers such as Hans Vredeman de Vries published their drawings in books, inspiring uncountable other works in the subsequent years. Additionally, during this design period, elegant, comfortable, and luxurious furniture became accessible to the masses, raising the standard of living for all people.