Frederick Crace
Encyclopedia
Frederick Crace was an English interior decorator, who worked for George IV when Prince of Wales
, for whom he created the chinoiserie
interiors of the Brighton Pavilion. Crace was also a collector of maps and topographical prints, now at the British Library
.
Frederick was the son of the prominent London decorator John C. Crace (1754–1819), who had been hired in 1788 to provide Chinese works of art for the Royal Pavilion.
Beside his familiar interiors at the Marine Pavilion, Brighton, Crace provided interiors at Windsor Castle
and Buckingham Palace
, in which he was assisted by his son, John Gregory Crace
.
Frederick married Augusta Harrop Gregory, the daughter of John Gregory, a London magistrate and treasurer of the Whig Club. In 1830 his son John Gregory became a full partner in the family business, thereafter known as Frederick Crace & Son, in 1830, on inheriting property and capital from his mother, who had died in 1827. Crace & Son designed the St James's Theatre
, London (1835) and the younger Crace developed into a well-regarded designer of theatres on his own.
For Crace's collection of topographical prints and drawings, Thomas H. Shepherd
was employed to paint old London buildings prior to their demolition, to provide a historical record.
He died at his home in Hammersmith on 18 September 1859, aged 80, and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery
. His extensive collection was purchased for the British Museum in 1880.
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
, for whom he created the chinoiserie
Chinoiserie
Chinoiserie, a French term, signifying "Chinese-esque", and pronounced ) refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences...
interiors of the Brighton Pavilion. Crace was also a collector of maps and topographical prints, now at the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
.
Frederick was the son of the prominent London decorator John C. Crace (1754–1819), who had been hired in 1788 to provide Chinese works of art for the Royal Pavilion.
Beside his familiar interiors at the Marine Pavilion, Brighton, Crace provided interiors at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
and Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, in which he was assisted by his son, John Gregory Crace
John Gregory Crace (designer)
John Gregory Crace was an English interior decorator and author.-Early life and education:The Crace family had been prominent London interior decorators since Edward Crace , later keeper of the royal pictures to George III, established a business in 1768...
.
Frederick married Augusta Harrop Gregory, the daughter of John Gregory, a London magistrate and treasurer of the Whig Club. In 1830 his son John Gregory became a full partner in the family business, thereafter known as Frederick Crace & Son, in 1830, on inheriting property and capital from his mother, who had died in 1827. Crace & Son designed the St James's Theatre
St James's Theatre
The St James's Theatre was a 1,200-seat theatre located in King Street, at Duke Street, St James's, London. The elaborate theatre was designed with a neo-classical exterior and a Louis XIV style interior by Samuel Beazley and built by the partnership of Peto & Grissell for the tenor and theatre...
, London (1835) and the younger Crace developed into a well-regarded designer of theatres on his own.
For Crace's collection of topographical prints and drawings, Thomas H. Shepherd
Thomas H. Shepherd
Thomas Hosmer Shepherd was a watercolor artist well known for his architectural works. Brother of topographical artist George "Sidney" Shepherd, Thomas was employed to illustrate architecture in London, and later Edinburgh, Bath and Bristol...
was employed to paint old London buildings prior to their demolition, to provide a historical record.
He died at his home in Hammersmith on 18 September 1859, aged 80, and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery is a cemetery in West Norwood in London, England. It was also known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery.One of the first private landscaped cemeteries in London, it is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, and is a site of major historical, architectural and...
. His extensive collection was purchased for the British Museum in 1880.