Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain

Georgian architecture was not just the pursuit of male architects and their wealthy male patrons, but also women who were at the heart of the architectural patronage of the day. Hidden Patrons reveals that women were important patrons and designers of architecture and interiors in eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland, and examines the work of a range of pioneering women from grand duchesses to businesswomen to courtesans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The enduring myth of Georgian architecture is that it was purely the pursuit of male architects and their wealthy male patrons. However, history reveals that women played a significant role in architectural patronage during the eighteenth century. Women were not just passive recipients of architectural designs; they were active participants and influential patrons. Architectural drawing and design, discourse, and patronage were interests shared by many women in the eighteenth century. Far from being the preserve of elite men, architecture was a passion shared by both sexes, intellectually and practically, as long as they possessed sufficient wealth and autonomy.

In an accessible and readable account, Hidden Patrons unravels the role of women as important patrons and designers of architecture and interiors in eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland. The book explores country houses, Georgian townhouses, villas, estates, and gardens, analyzing female patronage across the architectural spectrum. It examines the work of a range of pioneering women, from grand duchesses to businesswomen to lowly courtesans.

Re-examining well-known Georgian masterpieces alongside lesser-known architectural gems, Hidden Patrons unearths unseen archival material to provide a fascinating new view of the role of women in the architecture of the Georgian era. Women's patronage helped shape the architectural landscape of the time, contributing to the development of Georgian architecture's distinctive style and aesthetic.

Hidden Patrons is a valuable addition to the literature on Georgian architecture and gender studies. It challenges the traditional narrative of Georgian architecture and sheds light on the significant contributions of women to the field. The book will interest scholars, historians, and anyone with an interest in the history of architecture and the role of women in society.

Weight: 936g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350358614