Design for the decoration of the permanent buildings of the South Kensington Museums by the late Godfrey Sykes thumbnail 1
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Design for the decoration of the permanent buildings of the South Kensington Museums by the late Godfrey Sykes

Design
1855-1866 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Many of the decorative schemes in the North and South Courts of the Victoria and Albert museum were the work of a highly respected, young designer and painter Godfrey Sykes (1824-1866), an Englishman drafted in by Henry Cole. It was Sykes who had influenced the architect, Francis Fowke's choice of terracotta as the signature decorative material for the Museum. From 1861 he was engaged on the vast scheme of decoration for Fowke at the new South Kensington Museum (renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum). With a number of assistants, including James Gamble (1835–1911), Sykes designed for the museum terracotta columns, stained glass, bronze, ironwork, decorations in majolica and mosaic, and tile pavements made by Minton, Hollins & Co. However, Sykes was able to complete only a year's work at South Kensington before he himself died prematurely in 1866.

This design for the columns on the exterior of the west side of the Victoria and Albert Museum is articulated by a round-headed colonnade on the ground floor and an open-arcaded loggia on the upper floor. The columns for both are embellished with decorative terracotta to enhance the grandeur of the architecture. The Italian Renaissance revival in 19th century Britain brought with it a reinterest in terracotta decoration which Sykes championed.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDesign for the decoration of the permanent buildings of the South Kensington Museums by the late Godfrey Sykes (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pencil, pen and ink on paper
Brief description
Design for the decoration of the permanent buildings of the South Kensington Museums, Godfrey Sykes, pen, pencil, paper
Physical description
This is a design on a rectangular piece of paper for terracotta columns in a highly decorative style at the South Kensington Museum
Dimensions
  • Height: 51cm
  • Width: 21cm
Styles
Object history
This design was made by the architect Godfrey Sykes (1824-1866) for the terracotta columns on the exterior of the west side of the Victoria and Albert Museum (previously known as the South Kensington Museum).

Historical significance: This design demonstrates the popularity of neo-Renaissance architecture in 19th century Britain, exemplified by the use of terracotta.
Historical context
Many of the decorative schemes in the North and South Courts of the Victoria and Albert museum were the work of Godfrey Sykes, a highly respected young artist drafted in by Henry Cole. It was Sykes who had influenced the architect, Francis Fowke's choice of terracotta as the signature decorative material for the Museum. From 1861 he was engaged on the vast scheme of decoration for Fowke at the new South Kensington Museum (renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum), and his important work is notable for its use of a lively Renaissance Revival style. With a number of assistants, including James Gamble (1835–1911), Sykes designed for the museum terracotta columns, stained glass, bronze, ironwork, decorations in majolica and mosaic, and tile pavements made by Minton, Hollins & Co. However, Sykes was able to complete only a few years' work at South Kensington before he himself died prematurely in 1866.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Association
Summary
Many of the decorative schemes in the North and South Courts of the Victoria and Albert museum were the work of a highly respected, young designer and painter Godfrey Sykes (1824-1866), an Englishman drafted in by Henry Cole. It was Sykes who had influenced the architect, Francis Fowke's choice of terracotta as the signature decorative material for the Museum. From 1861 he was engaged on the vast scheme of decoration for Fowke at the new South Kensington Museum (renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum). With a number of assistants, including James Gamble (1835–1911), Sykes designed for the museum terracotta columns, stained glass, bronze, ironwork, decorations in majolica and mosaic, and tile pavements made by Minton, Hollins & Co. However, Sykes was able to complete only a year's work at South Kensington before he himself died prematurely in 1866.

This design for the columns on the exterior of the west side of the Victoria and Albert Museum is articulated by a round-headed colonnade on the ground floor and an open-arcaded loggia on the upper floor. The columns for both are embellished with decorative terracotta to enhance the grandeur of the architecture. The Italian Renaissance revival in 19th century Britain brought with it a reinterest in terracotta decoration which Sykes championed.
Bibliographic reference
Rosamond Allwood: "Sykes, Godfrey" Oxford University Press, [10/08/2005].
Collection
Accession number
8134:1

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Record createdDecember 13, 2006
Record URL
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