S t o u r h e a d

T h e   P a n t h e o n

Henry Flitcroft finished this beautiful neoclassical domed temple in 1754 on a rounded slope at the edge of the lake. It is the largest building in the gardens. He based the design on another Claude Lorrain painting in Henry Hoare's collection, of the Pantheon temple in Rome. It is of a Corinthian style with many steps leading up to a pedimented portico where one can sit and admire the view across the lake to Stourton village.

At either side of the Pantheon's six columns are two bronze sculptures placed in arched niches. One is of Bacchus the Roman god of wine, the other of a rather scantily dressed nymph.

Elaborate Acanthus leaves crown the capitals of the columns of the temple.

The most striking feature of the Pantheon is the rotundo dome. It is thirty six feet in diameter with a beautiful stained glass window at its centre. This huge edifice houses five life size statues standing on marble plinths each set in an arched recess. Hercules is an outstanding work by the flemish artist and sculptor John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770). Others include Flora, and Livia Augusta as Ceres.

The three temples at Stourhead, The Temple of Apollo, The Temple of Flora and the Pantheon or Temple of Hercules, were all originally painted white.

The Claude Lorrain painting, 'Landscape with Aeneas at Delos' on which the Pantheon is inspired
is now housed in the National Gallery in London, although a copy can be found in Stourhead house.

             

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