The Library occupies Chatsworth's East Façade, and was rebuilt as part of the 1st Duke of Devonshire's Baroque Palace between 1693 and 1695. It likely continued the gallery tradition of Bess of Hardwick’s Elizabethan house.
Originally conceived as a picture and sculpture gallery, the room briefly became a ballroom in the 18th century.
Its original decoration included paintings by French artists Louis Chéron and English artist James Thornhill, plasterwork by Edward Goudge, and a ceiling painting by Italian artist Antonio Verrio showing Apollo, Minerva and Mercury presiding over the Muses. Henri Nadauld designed the chimneypiece.
The 6th Duke, a great bibliophile, transformed the room between 1816 and 1829. He removed Chéron and Thornhill's paintings and installed bookcases between the original pilasters, later reworking the space with the architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville, who created the present galleried library with taller shelving and a dramatic spatial effect.
Though modified, the original 17th-century ceiling survives.
The paintings by Chéron and Thornhill were relocated to the ceiling of the 6th Duke's Ballroom in the north wing, this is now the Chatsworth Theatre.
Learn more about the Chatsworth Library, here.
Images taken by Sarah Rawlinson at HeritagePhotographs.com
