Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Hildebrandt, part of theWawel Castle collection inKraków | |
| Born | (1668-11-14)14 November 1668 |
| Died | 16 November 1745(1745-11-16) (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | |
Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt (14 November 1668 – 16 November 1745) was an Austrianbaroque architect and military engineer who designed stately buildings and churches and whose work had a profound influence on the architecture of theHabsburg Empire in the eighteenth century.[1] After studying in Rome underCarlo Fontana, he constructed fortresses forPrince Eugene of Savoy during his Italian campaigns, becoming his favorite architect. In 1700 he became court engineer in Vienna, and in 1711 was named head of the court department of building. He became court architect in 1723.[2] His designs for palaces, estates, gardens, churches, chapels, and villas were widely imitated, and his architectural principles spread throughout central and southeast Europe.[1] Among his more important works arePalais Schwarzenberg,St. Peter's Church, andBelvedere in Vienna,Savoy Castle in Ráckeve, Schönborn Palace in Göllersdorf, andSchloss Hof.[2]
Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt was born on 14 November 1668 inGenoa (Republic of Genoa).
Hildebrandt was the son of anItalian mother and aGerman father. Hildebrandt studied under C. Fontana inRome,[2] and he studied civil and military engineering underPrince Eugene of Savoy also in Rome, and military engineering inPiedmont. Hildebrandt became the favorite architect of Prince Eugène.[2]
In 1696, Hildebrandt established himself thereafter in theAustrian capital,Vienna, where he worked for such noble families as the Dauns,Harrachs,Schönborns, andStarhembergs, and also Prince Eugene himself.
In 1700, Hildebrandt becameHofburg court engineer, in 1711, head of the Court dept. of building, and in 1723, Hildebrandt became Hofburg Court architect.[2] At the Hofburg, however, Hildebrandt could not assert himself against the rivalry of the two Fischer von Erlachs (fatherJohann Bernhard and sonJoseph Emanuel) and worked mainly for aristocrats.[2] Unlike the monumental works ofJohann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Hildebrandt's works seem more committed at a personal level and include more decorative elements.[2] This helped his popularity spread to the middle class. Hildebrandt united Italian andFrench elements and shaped the development of thebaroque style in southGermany andAustria.[2]
Hildebrandt was also involved in many great projects which were developed by other architects (e.g.Würzburg,Göttweig Abbey,Pommersfelden,Palais Schwarzenberg).[2]
From 1713 to 1716, he was employed by the wealthy and powerfulKinsky family of Austria, building their residence, thePalais Kinsky, inVienna. From 1723 on, he was inspector-general of the imperial buildings. His two best known works, the Upper Belvedere (1721–1722) and the Lower Belvedere (1714–1716), were both commissioned byPrince Eugene of Savoy.
Hildebrandt also worked inBavaria on thePommersfelden castle known asSchloss Weißenstein.
Hildebrandt built numerous city palaces in Vienna (e.g. Daun-Kinsky, 1716), his religious buildings are also of great importance (St. Peter's Church and Maria Treu Piaristenchurch in Vienna, Teutonic Church inLinz, or Dominican Church in Gabel,Czech Republic).
Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt died on 16 November 1745 inVienna.
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