Brown, Lancelot

Brown, Lancelot called Capability (1716–83). Born in Northum., he was one of the most influential English landscape-architects who has ever lived, as well as an architect. He became head-gardener at Stowe, Bucks., in 1741, where, with Bridgeman and William Kent, he realized the ‘naturalization’ of the park. This much-admired work enabled Brown to set up on his own from 1749, and, for the next thirty years, he created many landscapes with artificial lakes, apparently randomly disposed clumps of trees, and expanses of grass that provided an admirable setting for the Palladian mansions that were such a feature of the period. Country-houses, which had once dominated the park, now tended to nestle in the composed Picturesque landscape, and Brown's famed ‘natural’ parks (where untidy Nature was tamed and carefully composed) became enormously popular throughout England as well as influential on the Continent. His nickname is said to have originated in his reputed habit of telling clients that their estates were ‘capable’ of or had ‘capabilities’ for improvement. His finest existing landscape-gardens, perhaps, are at Berrington Hall, Herefs. (1780s), Croome Court, Worcs. (1751–2), Bowood, Wilts. (1760s), and Nuneham Park, Oxon. (1778–82). Landscapes influenced by his work and ideas are referred to as Brownian.

He also designed buildings, and much of his work was executed by Henry Holland of Fulham (1712–85). In 1771 he took the latter's son Henry Holland (who became his son-in-law in 1773) into partnership and gradually handed over the architectural side of his practice. Brown's architectural works include Croome Court, Worcs. (1751–2), the bridge and chapel at Compton Verney, Warwicks. (1770–8), and Claremont House, Esher, Surrey (1771–4, with Henry Holland).

Bibliography

Colvin (1995);
J. Curl (2002a);
Hadfield,, Harling,, & and Highton (1980);
Hinde (1986);
Mowl (2000);
Stroud (1966, 1975);
R. Turner (1999);
P. Willis (2002)