The Journal

Belgravia has enjoyed a connection with the arts scene in London since the area itself was created. In the 1820s, this distinguished district of the capital became part of a living installation as Master Builder Thomas Cubitt began to bring his plans to life for a neighbourhood of uniform architectural elegance of stucco-fronted terraces and garden squares that appealed directly to the tastes and fashions of the aristocracy. This aesthetic was heavily influenced by the neoclassical and Georgian ideas of harmony and proportion that he hoped would inform the behaviour of the residents and visitors in a clear and community-driven way. Throughout the Victorian era, Belgravia thrived in this manner and naturally, those who lived there were keen to pursue roles as patrons of the arts themselves. The salon culture and private art portfolios that gathered pace saw the area become home to a wonderful collection of portraiture, landscape paintings and sculptures driven by the Grand Tours of the elite.