Robert Adam and his Brothers: New light on Britain's leading architectural family

Robert Adam is a renowned British architect who introduced a new decorative language at Kedleston and Syon around 1760, leading to a revolution in design. This study examines his work in interior planning, color use, classical sources, art market, town planning, and building speculation, and also assesses the Scottish architecture of his brother, John. Essays by established experts and contributions from a younger generation aim to stimulate further research on Adam's contribution to British architecture, art, and design.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2019
Publisher: Historic England

Robert Adam, widely recognized as one of the most prominent British architects, stands out as the sole individual whose name signifies both a distinct style and an era. His introduction of a new decorative language at Kedleston and Syon around 1760 positioned him at the forefront of the dynamic transformations occurring in 18th-century British architecture. His subsequent assertion that his collaboration with his brother James had led to a "kind of revolution in design" was not mere exaggeration. Their style exerted a profound influence over the later Georgian period, extending its reach to Western Europe, Russia, and North America. However, despite his widespread fame, a significant portion of Robert Adam's artistic output remains relatively less understood.

This groundbreaking study, derived from papers presented at a symposium organized by the Georgian Group in 2015, offers a fresh perspective on various aspects of the Adam brothers' oeuvre. It delves into topics such as interior planning, their use of color, the influence of classical sources, their engagement in the art market, town planning, and building speculation. Additionally, it examines Robert Adam's late picturesque drawings and castle designs within the context of the Adam family background and their personal and professional relationships. The Scottish architecture of Robert and James' older brother, John, is also assessed, contributing to a comprehensive examination of the Adam brothers' contributions to British architecture, art, and design.

The book features essays by established experts in the field of Adam studies, alongside contributions from a younger generation of historians and postdoctoral scholars. One of its primary objectives is to ignite further research on the Adams' profound impact on British architecture, art, and design.

Weight: 1424g
Dimension: 227 x 284 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848023598