The east front of Mavisbank House

Category

Library Item

Item no

28263

Title

The east front of Mavisbank House

Description

The full title reads, 'The East Front of Mavisbank House Toward the Court in the County of Mid Lothian one of the seats of Sr. John Clerk of Pennycook, Baron of his Majesty's Exchequer'.

Artist / maker

Adam, William

Engraver

Cooper, R.

Date

1812

Size

34.0 x 51.0 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Art and Design Library

Mavisbank House is located near Loanhead in Midlothian. It is a Palladian influenced country house designed by William Adam in collaboration with his client, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, and was constructed between 1723 and 1727. Sadly, following a fire in 1973, the property has remained in an unstable condition, however, a charity, Mavisbank Trust aims to secure the building's restoration and long-term maintenance.

This plate is taken from Vitruvius Scoticus, William Adam's collection of architectural drawings illustrating examples of his own classical building style and that of his contemporaries.

Vitruvius Scoticus was started and named in response to the Scottish architect and architectural writer Colen Campbell's Vitruvius Britannicus published 1715-1725. Vitruvius Scoticus was finally published in 1812 by William Adam’s grandson William Adam of Blair Adam (1751-1839), and contains 160 plates, including 100 of Adam's own designs.

William Adam designed numerous country houses and public buildings during the early 18th century, examples of which are included in Vitruvius Scoticus.

Among his best known works are Hopetoun House (plates 14-21) near Edinburgh, and Duff House (plates 146-148) in Banff. His individual, exuberant style built on the Palladian style, but with Baroque details inspired by Vanbrugh and Continental architecture.

Vitruvius Scoticus continues to remain a reference for many an architect and architectural historian documenting the early development of a classical style in Scotland.

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