Clotilde Kate Brewster

Clotilde Kate Brewster
Clotilde Kate Brewster
Born	1874; Fontainbleau, France
Died	1937 (aged 62–63)
Occupation	Architect
Parents	Henry Brewster (father); Julia von Stockhausen (mother);

Clotilde Kate Brewster (1874–1937) was a French-born architect with an extensive career in Italy, England, France, and Russia. Brewster's work spans castles, chapels, fountains, and many renovations and additions to existing buildings all over Europe in the Edwardian era.[1]

Early years

Brewster was born in Fontainebleau, France in 1874. Her father was Henry Bennet Brewster (H.B.), a philosopher and writer. Henry Brewster's father was a dental surgeon in New York who went on to work for the European elite, and he was eventually knighted by Nicholas I Tsar of Russia in 1842. Following his death, he left a large inheritance for Henry Brewster, allowing Clotilde Brewster's father to sustain his family while pursuing a literary career. Brewster's mother was born Julia von Stockhausen, the daughter of a Hanoverian diplomat, Bodo von Stockhausen.[1] The Brewsters lived isolated in Florence, Italy[2] for 10 years to be immersed in theology, nature, and history. During this time, Clotilde Brewster and her brother Christopher were born. In 1880 the family moved to an estate, Châteaux de Avignônet but by 1883, it had burned down completely. In 1885, Brewster's parents divorced. These events are considered to be the inspiration for Brewster's motivation to rebuild the house and her subsequent architecture career.[1]

Life and career

Beckley Park, located in England. Building renovations completed by Brewster in 1926.

Brewster began her career as a mentee under Swiss architect Emanuel La Roche. At 18 she displayed work at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.[3] It was difficult to practice Architecture at the time, and Brewster was unable to get a job, so she studied mathematics at Cambridge for a year. The next summer she got an internship under notable architect Reginald Bloomfield. Brewster began to receive commissions, including a mausoleum in Menton, France, a villa in Rome, and a Municipal Palazzo.[4] She also created plans for an unbuilt Italian National Theatre. Brewster's work varies greatly from her mentor, Bloomfield. She explored the minimal themes of Early Modernism, shying away from ornament and only including the necessities.

While working under Bloomfield, Brewster met Percy Feilding, who she would go on to marry. The two worked on several projects including the Pekes Manor restoration which was completed in 1911.[2] Brewster's final project was Beckley Park, a renovation completed in 1926, three years before Percy Feilding's death.

Later in life Brewster became a recluse, and she suffered through an addiction to alcohol and cigarettes until her death in 1937.[1]

References

Fitzmaurice, Laura. "Clotilde Brewster." 19th Century Magazine, Fall 2014, 2014, pp. 19–25.
Bourke, Eva. "Pekes Notes".
"Group 152." The Official Directory of the World's Columbian Exposition: May 1st to October 30th 1893; a Reference Book of Exhibitors and Exhibits ..., by Moses P. Handy, Conkey, 1893, p. 1064.
"The Edwardian Era." The Edwardian Era, by Jane Beckett and Deborah Cherry, Phaidon, 1987, p. 128.

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[:0-1] Fitzmaurice, Laura. "Clotilde Brewster." 19th Century Magazine, Fall 2014, 2014, pp. 19–25.

[:1-2] Bourke, Eva. "Pekes Notes".

[3] "Group 152." The Official Directory of the World's Columbian Exposition: May 1st to October 30th 1893; a Reference Book of Exhibitors and Exhibits ..., by Moses P. Handy, Conkey, 1893, p. 1064.

[4] "The Edwardian Era." The Edwardian Era, by Jane Beckett and Deborah Cherry, Phaidon, 1987, p. 128.