How Stuart era elites used architecture and art to project their political power
In short: Architectural historian Simon Thurley examines how Stuart era elites transformed art and building into calculated tools of political influence. This lecture explores the strategic shift toward systematic patronage and the deliberate cultivation of public image among the century's most powerful figures.
During the Stuart period, the relationship between high-status individuals and the arts became increasingly intentional. Rather than mere personal indulgence, architecture and collecting were wielded as instruments of cultural ambition, designed to reach specific audiences and shape perceptions of authority.
Recorded on January 30, 2019, by Professor Simon Thurley CBE, the lecture situates these artistic developments within the broader context of the century's volatile political landscape. Thurley, a former Visiting Gresham Professor of the Built Environment, highlights how the era's principal political players recognized the profound impact of their aesthetic choices.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Architecture, Images and Image-Making under the Stuarts - Simon Thurley
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