Carl von Gontard facts for kids
Carl Philipp Christian von Gontard (born January 13, 1731, in Mannheim; died September 23, 1791, in Breslau) was a famous German architect. He mostly worked in Berlin, Potsdam, and Bayreuth. He designed buildings in a style that combined the grandness of Baroque with the classic look of ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Many people thought he was one of the most important architects during the time of Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Carl von Gontard came from a French family called the Huguenots. He married Sophia von Erckert and they had many children. One of his sons, Carl Friedrich Ludwig von Gontard, became a Prussian army officer.
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Early Life and Training
Carl von Gontard studied architecture in Paris for two years with a famous teacher named Jacques-François Blondel. After that, he traveled around Italy for a long time, learning even more about building design.
He soon became a respected architect for Wilhelmine of Prussia, who was the Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth.
Work in Bayreuth
In Bayreuth, Carl von Gontard designed an addition to the Bayreuth Palace. He also created many palaces for noble families and homes for wealthy citizens. His buildings were known for their high artistic quality. They gave the town a special look. Gontard also taught architecture at the Bayreuth Academy of Arts.
After Wilhelmine's husband, Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, passed away in 1763, Gontard did not get as many jobs. This was because the new ruler, Frederick Christian, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, wanted to save money.
Working for Frederick the Great
In 1764, Wilhelmine's brother, Frederick the Great, hired Gontard. Soon, Gontard was in charge of all the king's building projects in Potsdam and Berlin.
From 1765 to 1769, he was the main artistic director for the New Palace in Potsdam. This palace had started being built in 1763. Gontard played a big part in designing the inside of the palace. He also designed the large buildings (called Communs) that faced the palace's front yard.
He also created several buildings in Sanssouci Park. These include the Temple of Friendship, which Frederick the Great built to honor his sister Wilhelmine. He also designed the Antique Temple.
Gontard's next big project in Potsdam was the Military Orphanage, built from 1771 to 1778. This building had a unique central part and a cool spiraling staircase. Gontard also designed private homes in Potsdam, like the impressive row of houses called Am Bassin. He also designed Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate.
Major Works in Berlin
In Berlin, Gontard designed some very important buildings. He created the tall towers and front porches for the German and French churches on Gendarmenmarkt. He also designed two fancy bridges with columns that crossed the old city moat. These were the Spittelkolonnaden (built in 1776) and the Königskolonnaden (built in 1777/1778). The Königskolonnaden was later moved to Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park.
Gontard also designed the Oranienburg Gate (1787/88). He oversaw the building of the Royal Library on today's Bebelplatz. He added a grand staircase and a special hall for parties to the library.
Later Projects and Legacy
After Frederick the Great died, the new king, Friedrich Wilhelm II, asked Gontard to decorate the Potsdam City Palace and Garrison Church for the funeral. Many important royal jobs followed.
Between 1787 and 1790, Gontard decorated nine of the Royal Rooms in the Berlin City Palace. At the same time, he created the Marble Palace in Potsdam. This is considered one of his best works. His last project was the ‘‘Holländische Etablissement’’, a group of "Dutch Houses" in the New Garden, Potsdam.
Under King Frederick William II, Gontard became a member of the Royal Prussian Academy of Arts and Mechanical Sciences. He taught there until he passed away.
Carl von Gontard had important students like G. C. Unger, F. W. Titel, and H. Gentz. However, his unique style of architecture did not continue for long after his time. This was because people's tastes in building design changed after the era of Frederick the Great ended.
Gallery
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The Brandenburg Gate in Potsdam
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Temple of Friendship in Sanssouci Park
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Am Bassin in Potsdam (2011)
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The Military Orphanage (Potsdam)
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The Marble Palace in the New Gardens, Potsdam
