Thanks for alerting me to this house. Until now, I've only seen those of Vanbrugh's creations that are easily accessible from central London. I'm never in the UK for very long, but I might run up to Newcastle the next time I'm passing through.
Hi Anne, I trust you enjoyed your first visit to Newcastle! Enjoyed reading this piece on Seaton Deleval Hall of which there are mixed views up here. You probably discovered that as a young man Vanburgh was imprisoned in the Bastille by Louis XIV on charges of spying. Some say that the central block of the Hall is reminiscent of the Parisian prison. Johnathan Meads saw in it the beginnings of the Brutalist architecture of the mid-1900s - a design that was "extremely butch, aggressive,sullen"
Hi Harry, Thanks for your comment - I really enjoyed Newcastle and hope to come back for another visit. It seems like a city that's far enough away from London to have its own confidence and ways of doing things which I found really refreshing (shame The Sage has changed its name to The Glasshouse though ;) ) Yes, Vanbrugh's time in French prisons is really fascinating - he was also incarcerated in Vincennes, which is often mentioned as an influence. I didn't know Meades said that but I couldn't agree more - when I looked at the banded rustication it really reminded me of the Brutalist classic, Birmingham New Street Signal Box, which I know well.
Firstly an apology for getting your name wrong, Annette. Newcastle is certainly a very different city from that which I left in the 1970s to live and work in London. While I came 'home' frequently through the years they were fleeting visits and it was only when I returned to live here two years ago that I fully understood the vibrant arts and cultural change that happened in my decades away. With you on the Sage name change. And a fun fact on Newcastle.... the only English city that has held both a Scottish King and an English King prisoner (at different times). I'll leave you to think on who they were ....
No worries, Harry, my name means “little Anne” anyway. Yes, I loved the energy of the city and the welcoming people. Hmmm, let me think about that history conundrum - you are really testing me now. 😃
Hi Anne, I trust you enjoyed your first visit to Newcastle! Enjoyed reading this piece on Seaton Deleval Hall of which there are mixed views up here. You probably discovered that as a young man Vanburgh was imprisoned in the Bastille by Louis XIV on charges of spying. Some say that the central block of the Hall is reminiscent of the Parisian prison. Johnathan Meads saw in it the beginnings of the Brutalist architecture of the mid-1900s - a design that was "extremely butch, aggressive,sullen"
Thanks for alerting me to this house. Until now, I've only seen those of Vanbrugh's creations that are easily accessible from central London. I'm never in the UK for very long, but I might run up to Newcastle the next time I'm passing through.
No problem David - it’s well worth it!
Hi Anne, I trust you enjoyed your first visit to Newcastle! Enjoyed reading this piece on Seaton Deleval Hall of which there are mixed views up here. You probably discovered that as a young man Vanburgh was imprisoned in the Bastille by Louis XIV on charges of spying. Some say that the central block of the Hall is reminiscent of the Parisian prison. Johnathan Meads saw in it the beginnings of the Brutalist architecture of the mid-1900s - a design that was "extremely butch, aggressive,sullen"
Hi Harry, Thanks for your comment - I really enjoyed Newcastle and hope to come back for another visit. It seems like a city that's far enough away from London to have its own confidence and ways of doing things which I found really refreshing (shame The Sage has changed its name to The Glasshouse though ;) ) Yes, Vanbrugh's time in French prisons is really fascinating - he was also incarcerated in Vincennes, which is often mentioned as an influence. I didn't know Meades said that but I couldn't agree more - when I looked at the banded rustication it really reminded me of the Brutalist classic, Birmingham New Street Signal Box, which I know well.
Firstly an apology for getting your name wrong, Annette. Newcastle is certainly a very different city from that which I left in the 1970s to live and work in London. While I came 'home' frequently through the years they were fleeting visits and it was only when I returned to live here two years ago that I fully understood the vibrant arts and cultural change that happened in my decades away. With you on the Sage name change. And a fun fact on Newcastle.... the only English city that has held both a Scottish King and an English King prisoner (at different times). I'll leave you to think on who they were ....
No worries, Harry, my name means “little Anne” anyway. Yes, I loved the energy of the city and the welcoming people. Hmmm, let me think about that history conundrum - you are really testing me now. 😃
😉
Hi Anne, I trust you enjoyed your first visit to Newcastle! Enjoyed reading this piece on Seaton Deleval Hall of which there are mixed views up here. You probably discovered that as a young man Vanburgh was imprisoned in the Bastille by Louis XIV on charges of spying. Some say that the central block of the Hall is reminiscent of the Parisian prison. Johnathan Meads saw in it the beginnings of the Brutalist architecture of the mid-1900s - a design that was "extremely butch, aggressive,sullen"