Sir John Vanbrugh, recognized as 'The Rockstar of the English Baroque', was a prominent architect and dramatist. His style was characterized by bold contrasts of light and shadow, creating strikingly dramatic architectural forms. Vanbrugh's connections facilitated his shift from playwright to architect, and he became known for defining the classical English mansion aesthetic. In 2026, a year-long festival will commemorate his work, with key events including an exhibition at the Sir John Soane museum featuring his architectural drawings.
Sir John Vanbrugh, renowned for his audacious English Baroque architecture, masterfully manipulated light and shadow to create visually stunning buildings. His work profoundly influenced the image of the classical English mansion.
Often called 'The Rockstar of the English Baroque', Vanbrugh excelled not only as an architect but also as a dramatist, blending theatricality in both his plays and architectural designs.
A year-long festival in 2026, led by The Georgian Group, will celebrate Vanbrugh’s contributions and explore how the self-taught architect became a leading figure in that era.
Despite limited surviving works in London, an exhibition of Vanbrugh’s architectural drawings is set for February 2026 at the Sir John Soane museum.
Collection
[
|
...
]