Internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin presents Library of the Four Winds, a new public sculpture in the Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard. The work is on show from 13 June – 27 September and is conceived to mark the tricentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726), the visionary architect behind Castle Howard. Castle Howard is Britain’s most famous country house, recognised by millions across the world as the location for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.

Hailed as “the Shakespeare of English architecture”, Vanbrugh had concurrent careers as an architect, playwright, adventurer, soldier, spy, diplomat and garden designer. To mark the 300th anniversary of his death Castle Howard is celebrating his legacy with exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and performances throughout the year.

Library of the Four Winds, sponsored by Penhaligon’s, is a new luminous artwork that takes over the Temple of the Four Winds and the surrounding area. The Temple of the Four Winds was originally used as a place for refreshment and reading, and Devlin has taken this as her starting point in creating the new artwork.

A central, rotating sculpture made up of hundreds of books sits within the Temple itself. Outside, four concentric tables and benches encompass the Temple at which members of the public are invited to sit and read, draw and talk to one another. The collective reading tables have books curated from Es Devlin’s personal library, annotated by the artist. A soundscape of Devlin reading selected passages from these books will play inside and outside of the Temple.  The installation honours the National Year of Reading.

On Saturday 13 June audiences can take part in a drawing workshop led by Es Devlin. The artist will be in conversation with Nicholas Howard and Francis Terry at 5.30pm that evening in an event supported by the Georgian Society and National Lottery Heritage Fund. The space will host weekly drawing workshops throughout the summer, and special evening openings.

Nicholas and Victoria Howard said: “It was Vanbrugh’s vision that brought Castle Howard to life, and now the house has the honour of celebrating its creator. There are many ways that audiences can engage with and learn about this larger-than-life character this year, and we are delighted to present this response by Es Devlin which allows her to explore her own affinity to Vanbrugh. Her work is an innovative response to Vanbrugh’s vision and continues Castle Howard’s work with contemporary artists.”

Es Devlin said: “It’s a very special privilege to be invited to make a new work within Vanbrugh’s exquisite Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard. The Library of the Four Winds is a luminous oval revolving bookshelf - reflected to double height through a mirrored base. The sculpture reads aloud from 250 of the books that have most influenced me. It draws on Vanbrugh’s dedication to literature, architecture and political activism within his final architectural masterpiece. Four curved tables form a circle around the pavilion. Each table is laid with a selection of my books, and we invite visitors to sit and read and meet one another through the texts throughout the summer of this National Year of Reading. We are also offering drawing workshops each week - where people can encounter one another through portraiture.”

Visitors to Castle Howard will also be able to see the exhibition Staging the Baroque: Vanbrugh at Castle Howard, designed and curated by architect Roz Barr. It explores the moment when an ambitious Vanbrugh encountered the equally ambitious Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, in the confines of the Kit-Cat Club in London.  The Earl wanted to build a grand country house and Vanbrugh’s bold, theatrical vision inspired him to take a chance on this would-be architect who had never built anything before.  The exhibition chronicles the story of this exciting creation and explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s visionary use of scale, shadow and light in the creation of one of Britain’s most iconic stately homes.

Throughout the summer, young visitors can take part in Playshapes: Castle Constructors, a new interactive play experience for children and families inspired by Vanbrugh’s architectural vision. Play blocks representing architectural elements of Castle Howard have been designed by Yorkshire-based artist Pippa Hale and supplied by Timberplay, giving young visitors the unique chance to make their own creations inspired by Vanbrugh.

Library of the Four Winds is sponsored by Penhaligon’s.
Staging the Baroque is sponsored by Sotheby’s.

Library of the Four Winds
Until 27th September
New installation by created by Es Devlin. Included in admission.

Drawing Workshops
Every Saturday at 12pm, from 13th June to 26th September
A 45-minute outdoor drawing workshop, taking place at Es Devlin’s new installation the Library of the Four Winds.  Materials provided.

Friday Lates: 3rd July, 7th August, 4th September
An opportunity to see the Library of the Four Winds during a summer evening

For full listings information please see www.castlehoward.co.uk