The Work of Thomas Archer (1668-1743)

This is an Avon Gardens Trust talk – £10 (members of AGT) or £15 (guests) to include refreshments. Tickets via the Book Tickets button. Further details may be obtained by emailing events@avongardenstrust.org.uk

The relationship of landscape and architecture – the work of Thomas Archer – a talk by Dr Helen Lawrence-Beaton

Thomas Archer (c.1668-1743) is starting to be given appropriate recognition as a key architect of the English Baroque after years in the shadow of his contemporaries. However, despite having been known to have designed several of the country’s most important country houses and garden buildings, he is often overlooked as a key player in early eighteenth-century garden design. This lecture will explore Archer’s involvement at several estates, will analyse designs for some of his key garden buildings, and will consider evidence that he worked alongside his patrons to create the landscapes surrounding his architectural work. This will be placed within the context of Archer’s career at court and his travels abroad, which enabled him to move in prestigious circles and secure important commissions.

Dr Helen Lawrence-Beaton works as a senior architectural historian at ADAM Architecture, a leading practice specialising in Classical and Traditional architecture, contextual urban design and historic buildings. Helen is closely involved in the practice’s heritage projects and has researched the history and development of numerous listed buildings, historic estates, farms, towns and villages throughout the UK. Helen originally studied History of Art at the University of Bristol before going on to gain a Mastersdegree in Garden History, where she focused upon the garden buildings and landscapes of Thomas Archer. She has more recently completed a PhD on Archer and is now the leading authority on this key architect of the English Baroque. She is in the process of preparing a new monograph on Archer for publication.