Spotted: Baroque wigs appear on famous Oxford statues for Sir John Vanbrugh’s birthday on 24th Jan

Spotted: Baroque wigs have mysteriously appeared on notable statues and landmarks around Oxford, including the Bronze statue of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke at the Bodleian Library and various locations around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace. 

The Blueprints of Power exhibition will run from 14th February until 10th April, marking the tercentenary of the death of the designer of Blenheim Palace, Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726).

The all-new experience will shine a light on Sir John Vanbrugh’s brilliant mind, his rivalries and ambitions on an interactive journey combining immersive visual experiences with rare archival material, recognisable outfits and costumes and the dramatic stories behind them.

Visitors will be able to step back in time and discover how one of the most prominent architects – and his ties to high society – helped define an age.

Blueprints of Power forms part of Vanbrugh 300, the national celebration coordinated by the Georgian Group featuring a variety of events, exhibitions and activities at six of the architect’s most significant creations –  including Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard, Seaton Delaval Hall, Grimsthorpe Castle, Kimbolton Castle and Stowe House.

For more information, visit

www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/blueprints-of-power.html

ENDS

For more information, contact Campaign, A Cab Studio – [email protected]

About Blenheim Palace 

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and is the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill.

With over 300 years of history to share and one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, Blenheim Palace is not only an iconic part of history, but also a living, changing experience with a wealth of sporting and cultural events, themed exhibitions and tours all year around.

A short miniature train ride away from the Palace is the Walled Garden, which boasts interactive areas entirely dedicated for families to explore including Adventure Play and the Rowse Honey Hive, The Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House. With curated events, an exciting programme of annual activities, entertainment and dedicated eateries for families, these areas guarantee a memorable family day out.

Beyond the grounds and an array of Formal Gardens, the total Estate expands into a further 10,000 acres and focuses on care for the land through sustainable means, pursuing net zero, the growth of the local economy, the provision of affordable homes, apprenticeship training and supported community groups.

Blenheim Palace is Britain’s Greatest Palace.

About Vanbrugh 300

The life and achievements of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are being celebrated across the UK during 2026, his tercentenary year, following a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to The Georgian Group.

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’, Vanbrugh was also one of the great Restoration dramatists. His architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and risqué plays. Among many other achievements – including as a dramatist and political activist – Vanbrugh is celebrated for his capacity to exploit the emotional impact of architecture, making exciting and dramatic use of light and shadow, recesses and projections.

The VANBRUGH300 celebrations are presented by the Georgian Group and will include a variety of events, educational programmes, volunteer training, lectures and exhibitions in collaboration with six of the architect’s most significant buildings: Castle Howard (Yorkshire), Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire), Seaton Delaval Hall (Northumberland), Grimsthorpe Castle (Lincolnshire), Kimbolton Castle (Cambridgeshire) and Stowe House (Buckinghamshire). These activities will all be supported by a dedicated website Vanbrugh300.co.uk.