Georg Hermann Nicolai facts for kids
Georg Hermann Nicolai (born January 10, 1812 – died July 10, 1881) was a German architect and a teacher. He was a Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden from 1850 until he passed away.
Life of Georg Hermann Nicolai
Nicolai was born in Torgau, a town in the Kingdom of Saxony. He studied architecture at the Dresden Academy with Bernhard Schreiber. Later, he continued his studies in Munich. He also traveled to Italy in 1834-35 and 1839-40 to learn more about building styles.
From 1841 to 1845, Nicolai worked as a Hofbaumeister in Coburg. This means he was a master builder for the royal court. After that, he had his own architecture business in Frankfurt am Main from 1845 to 1848.
In the summer of 1850, Nicolai became a professor at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. He took over from another famous architect named Gottfried Semper. Semper had been involved in a protest the year before. Nicolai was known for his skill in bringing back the "Neorenaissance" style of architecture. This style was inspired by beautiful old Italian buildings from the 1400s. He was a very popular teacher, and many of his students became successful architects in Saxony and other places.
Georg Hermann Nicolai died in Bodenbach (Elbe) when he was 69 years old. After his death, his former student, Constantin Lipsius, took his place as professor.
Main Buildings Designed by Nicolai
Georg Hermann Nicolai designed several important buildings. Sadly, all of these buildings were destroyed during the Allied bombing of Dresden in World War II.
Here are some of his principal works:
- Seebach Residence (1839)
- Villa Struve (1851-52)
- Villa Meyer (1867–69)
- Reconstruction of Prince George's Palace on the Zinzendorfstrasse (1855-57)
- Villa Seiler (1867-68)
