Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, und ihre Rolle als Bauherrin am Beispiel Marlborough House, London

Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, emerges as a pioneering female patron of architecture whose influence extended beyond mere cost-cutting to the establishment of comfort and aesthetic preference. This study challenges the traditional portrayal of her as driven by frugality, demonstrating that her decisions were rooted in rational design choices aligned with her personal style and desire for prestige. Through an analysis of her major projects—including Marlborough House (her sole independent venture), Holywell House, Windsor Lodge, Blenheim Palace (where she commissioned memorial structures post her husband’s death), Wimbledon House, and St. Albans’ almshouse—the research highlights her agency in overseeing construction, financial management, and artistic curation. Her role as a patron was part of a broader tradition of influential women, including Queen Mary II and Bess of Hardwick, but distinguished by her assertiveness and self-determined aesthetic vision.

Fraunbaum, A. (2013). Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, und ihre Rolle als Bauherrin am Beispiel Marlborough House, London. :None. https://doi.org/10.25365/THESIS.26806