Smythson, Robert

views updated

Smythson, Robert (c.1535–1614). Distinguished English architect of the Elizabethan period. He worked at (1568–75) Longleat, Wilts., a great house disposed almost symmetrically about both axes, and with very large windows, both features of Smythson's first known independent work, the dramatic prodigy house of Wollaton Hall, Notts. (1580–8), a powerful composition (possibly indebted in part to Serlio) with much Flemish-derived ornament (probably from de Vries), tall corner towers, and a central clerestoreyed hall (rather than the internal courts of Longleat) rising high above the surrounding structure. He also designed Worksop Manor, Notts. (c.1585—destroyed), his masterpiece, Hardwick Hall, Derbys. (1590–7—a less frenetic composition than Wollaton), and (probably) Burton Agnes Hall, Yorks. (1601–10). His son, John Smythson (c.1570–1634), assisted Robert, but then worked for the Cavendish family at Bolsover Castle, Derbys. (c.1612–34), Welbeck Abbey, Notts. (1622–3), and (possibly) Slingsby Castle, Yorks. (c.1630). Bolsover is an extraordinary building, very consciously medieval in appearance, and may be classified as an early prototype of the sham castle so popular in C18. John's son, Huntingdon (c.1601–1648), and his son, John (1640–1717), were also architects.

Bibliography

Airs (1975, 1995);
Architectural History, v (1962), 21–184;
Colvin (1995);
Girouard (1966, 1983);
Lees-Milne (1951);
Summerson (ed.) (1993);
Jane Turner (1996)

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture