509. Lord Burlington and William Kent,
Chiswick House, near London, 1725-1729 (United Kingdom)

This small but finely detailed pavilion represents a seminal step in the formation of English Neo-Palladianism. The 3rd Earl of Burlington, inspired by a grand tour of Italy, decided to give a practical demonstration of his architectural allegiances by the construction of an extension to his (now-demolished) suburban retreat at Chiswick. Now standing alone, this tiny domed building shows a decisive rejection of Baroque experimentation in favour of a return to Classical restraint and order. It is largely modelled on Palladio’s Villa Rotonda, with details taken from the works of the Venetian master’s assistants. Its small scale, in conjunction with the richly ornamental carving of its capitals and mouldings, gives the building a slightly miniaturised feel. Burlington’s villa was not intended for occupation, and it contains neither bedrooms nor kitchen; rather, it was a space for leisure, entertainment and artistic display, and Handel, Pope and Swift were among its visitors. Its velvet-walled interiors are unexpectedly luxurious and colourful. The basement originally housed Burlington’s personal library. The gardens at Chiswick, laid out by William Kent, represent some of the earliest impulses towards a more naturalistic approach in British landscaping. The house is open to the public.