The Devonshire Collection
From Elizabethan needlework to Enlightenment scientific instruments, Old Master drawings to 21st century sculpture, the Devonshire Collection is a record of one family's eclectic tastes and interests over 16 generations.
It is cared for by the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement, and the current Duke and Duchess continue to add to the collection. As many treasures as possible are displayed in the house. Some objects would be damaged by permanent exposure to light and are brought out for special displays. Others are loaned to local, national and international exhibitions
The major collectors in the history of the Collection were the 2nd and 6th Dukes, and the 3rd Earl of Burlington, whose collection and library were inherited by his grandson, the 5th Duke. In the early 18th century the 2nd Duke (1673-1729), a connoisseur of the arts, was recorded by a contemporary as having “an infinite love of the arts, as well as deep knowledge”. He acquired not only the bulk of the superlative collection of Old Master drawings, but also many of the finest paintings, which were shown at Devonshire House, London.
The 3rd Earl of Burlington (1694-1753), the architect and advocate for Palladianism, formed an important collection, which included Old Master paintings, furniture designed by William Kent for Chiswick, architectural drawings and Inigo Jones masque designs. In the 19th century the 6th Duke (1790-1858), the ‘Bachelor’ Duke, finding he was no longer able to form a good collection of antique sculpture, concentrated on commissioning and acquiring works from the international group of neo-classical sculptors in Rome, including Canova and Thorvaldsen. His important collection of sculpture was brought to Chatsworth and can be seen in the Sculpture Gallery, which he built to house it.
Order Enquiries
For all enquiries regarding your order, please contact us using the email address or phone number below:
E-mail: support@memoryprints.com
Please quote art.chatsworth.org in your correspondence.
From UK: FreePhone 0800-085 3440
Outside UK: +44 20-7251 8164
The office is open 10.00 – 18.00 GMT Monday to Friday; closed Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
