Inigo Jones c. 1630 - 1800

Robert van Voerst’s engraving depicts Inigo Jones, the 17th-century architect who transformed the face of English architecture. Jones, in his role as Surveyor of the King’s Works for James I and Charles I, introduced Italian Renaissance classicism to Britain, designing iconic structures like the Banqueting House in Whitehall. The image is striking in its depiction of masculinity. The soft fabric around his head contrasts with Jones’s assertive gaze and the commanding presence of his hands. The gaze is especially compelling. What might he be thinking? Is he concerned with the classical lines of Palladio? Or the turbulent political climate that would eventually lead to the English Civil War? This portrait encapsulates a pivotal moment in British cultural history, reflecting the tensions between tradition and innovation, as well as the personal and political dimensions of artistic creation. It reminds us that cultural identity is always in flux, shaped by individual vision and broader social forces.