The Dining room from Kirtlington Park

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire, 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson (English, active from 1730, died 1774) Wood, plaster, and marble H. 20 ft. (6.09 m), L. 36 ft. (10.97 m), W. 24 ft. (7.32 m) Fletcher Fund, 1931 (32.53.1). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

One of my favorite period rooms at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire.  This room was designed mid-18th century, and walking through is really a transporting experience.  The details in the panels, stucco, and chimney-piece are beautiful. The lighting and decoration are thoughtfully done.  The wooden floors are original, and believed to be from trees from the owner's estate!


"The spirited plaster decoration was designed by Sanderson and executed by an Oxford stucco worker; the central panels at the four sides of the ceiling depict the seasons. The richly carved chimneypiece is of marble, the mahogany doors and shutters are equipped with their original gilt-bronze hardware, and the oak floor is also original."¹

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire, Detail Ceiling Panels. 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson. Wood, plaster, and marble. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.Photo: @MarieGossip1

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. Detail, Wall Panel. 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson. Wood, plaster, and marble. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.Photo: @MarieGossip1

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson. Wood, plaster, and marble. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  John Sanderson, Plans for Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. 1742–48, Pen, grey, and brown ink and washes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson. Wood, plaster, and marble. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo: @MarieGossip1

View #2: end wall with plaster frame containing one of a pair of paintings by Francois Boucher (1703-1770). Metropolitan Museum of Art.

¹ "John Sanderson: Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire (32.53.1)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/32.53.1 (May 2009)

Further reading:

Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Based on original work by William Rieder. “The Kirtlington Park Room, Oxfordshire.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kirt/hd_kirt.htm (May 2009)

Roscoe, Ingrid "The Decoration and Furnishing of Kirtlington Park." Apollo 111 (January 1980), pp. 22–29.