BAROQUE BRITAIN

From Blenheim to St Paul’s, the British Baroque movement gave us some of our most eye-catching buildings and interiors. We explore the legacy of this exciting era

- NEIL JONES

No visitor to Blenheim Palace in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds can be in any doubt as to the heroic nature of its architecture and, by inference, the heroic stature of the owner for whom it was built: the 1st Duke of Marlborough, allied commander at the Battle of Blenheim (1704) during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Conceived as a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation in celebration of his military success, the Baroque masterpiece is awesome in scale, triumphant with towers and patriotic sculpture. Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of the palace along with Nicholas Hawksmoor, fully admitted it was not simply intended as a private residence but as a “Royall and a National Monument”.

You can view an architectural engraving for Blenheim, as well as drawings and designs for some of its glorious painted interiors, in the British Baroque: Power and Illusion exhibition currently wowing the crowds at Tate Britain, London. Bringing together sumptuous artworks, models and back-stories to the Baroque movement, the exhibition offers an inspirational launchpad for visitors to go out and explore great houses like Blenheim, as well as treasures that exemplify one of the most extravagant, theatrical fashions in art and architecture.

Originating in Rome, Baroque culture swept across Europe during the 17th century, colouring everything from building, painting and sculpture to theatre, music and literature. Characterised by dramatic exaggeration, dynamic movement and sensuous appeals to emotion, Baroque trumpeted glory and self-confidence. In Britain, where the most florid ostentations were toned down (a little!) in keeping with a classical reserve, a slightly more refined English Baroque prevailed.