Inigo Jones
By: Colby Smith
Summary
Born on July 15th, 1573, in London, United Kingdom, Inigo Jones was a major part in getting Italian Renaissance architecture into Europe. Some of his most famous architectural achievements would be The Queens House, Banqueting House, and the Whitehall. He died on June 21, 1652 in London, United Kingdom.
Early Life
Inigo Jone's early life is mostly unknown, but it is believed he started as a painter. Frances Manners, Duke of Arundel, was a patron to Inigo and took him to Italy and he was astounded by the Italian Renaissance architecture. This was the birth of his passion for architecture.
The Rest of His Life
Inigo Jones had a naturally gifted talent and he used it very wisely. He travelled all through Europe and made architecture for kings. Some of the patrons he worked for we're King Christian of Denmark, King James the First, and partially for the 5th Earl of Rutland (when he was little). He spent most of his life in London, but he also traveled to France, Italy, and many other places in Europe. He created masterpieces of architectural achievement in London, bringing Italian Renaissance work to his birth place.
Renaissance Man?
Inigo Jones is the definition of a Renaissance Man. Humanism is a huge part of the Renaissance Man and he has all of the characteristics. For example, the definition of humanism is intellectual movement based on the study of the classics. Inigo is exactly that, because he introduced Italian architecture to England.
His Work
Whitehall/ Banquet Building
- Built by Inigo Jones in 1619-1622
- Located in London
- It was intended to serve as a setting for state functions and resembles Italian classical design.
- This building has much detail built into it and was very carefully designed. Inigo really payed attention to detail when he was designing and building.
- Humanism would define this building, because it was built on Italian design. He brought the architecture of Italy to London with this building.
- I find this interesting because it has amazing detail in the design.
Queens House
- Located in Greenwich, United Kingdom
- Built for Queen Anne
- Built intentionally in 1619, but then resumed building in 1630
- It has symmetrical design, simplicity of classical detail, proportion, and purity of line, which are all examples of Italian Renaissance architecture.
- This building would be a perfect example of humanism, because Inigo brought Italian Renaissance design to England again.
- I find this interesting because the attention to detail on the building amazes me.
St. Paul's Cathedral
- Restored between 1634 and 1642
- The church is in the form of an austere classical temple with a deep portico and severe Tuscan columns.
- Little is known on how he restored it.
- This would also represent humanism because the building was built off of ancient Roman architecture.
- I find this interesting because it is amazing how he could change the whole structure of the church and add even more detail than there already was.
Work Cited
"Inigo Jones." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Biography in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
CAST, DAVID. "Inigo Jones." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World. Ed. Jonathan Dewald. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004. Biography in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Hartill, Marlene. Queen's House. 1617-1635. Photograph. Greenwich, UK.
Jones, Inigo. Whitehall, Banquet House. 1619-1622. Photograph. London, England.