Design of a Greenhouse for the Right Honorable Earl of Coventry, Croome Court, Worcestershire (Elevation) 1760

This is Robert Adam's design for a greenhouse at Croome Court in Worcestershire. It’s a peek into 18th-century British aristocracy, where power and wealth shaped not just society, but the very landscapes they inhabited. This greenhouse wasn't just about growing exotic plants; it was a statement. It’s a neoclassical temple dedicated to nature, reflecting the Enlightenment's obsession with order, reason, and control over the natural world. Yet, behind this ordered facade lies a more complex story of global exploitation. These exotic plants, symbols of luxury and scientific curiosity, were often acquired through colonial trade routes, built on the backs of enslaved labor. Consider the Earl of Coventry, for whom this greenhouse was designed. His ability to cultivate plants from across the globe speaks volumes about the era’s social hierarchy. This image invites us to reflect on the hidden histories of empire embedded in the aesthetics of the 18th century. It asks us to consider whose labor and lives made such displays of wealth and taste possible.