Sir William Chambers (1723-1796), Architect
Sitter in 16 portraits
Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Chambers worked initially for the Swedish East India Company, travelling to China where he studied Chinese architecture and decoration. Returning to Europe, he studied architecture in Paris and Italy before moving to London in 1755. Chambers is best remembered for designing and building Somerset House, a project he worked on from 1775 to 1795. This Neo-classical development housed many government offices and provided accommodation for various learned societies, including the Royal Academy, the Royal Society, and the Society of Antiquaries. He was a founder member of the Royal Academy and was its first Professor of Architecture.
by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756
NPG 27
by Jeremiah Meyer
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, after 1770
On display in Room 14 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4044
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
watercolour and ink, (1772)
NPG 1437
Key to 'The Academicians of the Royal Academy'
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
pencil, circa 1773
NPG 1437a
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
ink and grey wash with touches of red crayon on paper, (1778-1780)
NPG 3159
Sir William Chambers; Joseph Wilton; Sir Joshua Reynolds
by John Francis Rigaud
oil on canvas, 1782
On display in Room 12 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 987
by D.P. Pariset, after Pierre-Étienne Falconet
stipple engraving, (1769)
NPG D2041
by Richard Houston, after Francis Cotes
mezzotint, published 1772
NPG D32832
by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Francis Cotes
mezzotint, published 1 June 1772
NPG D19012
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by Richard Earlom, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D21304
by Valentine Green, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1780
NPG D32831
by Charles Bestland, after Henry Singleton
stipple engraving, published 1802 (1795)
NPG D10716
by Charles Bestland, after Henry Singleton
stipple engraving, published 1802 (1795)
NPG D36021
by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, published 1 February 1809 (17 March 1793)
NPG D12124
by Benjamin Wyon, after Richard Westmacott
bronze medal, 1857
NPG D2911
by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, published 1 February 1809 (17 March 1793)
NPG D14750
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Castle Howard, York, North Yorkshire
Danson Park, London
Kew Gardens, Richmond, London
Osterley Park, Greater London
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Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire
Wrest Park, Luton, London
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