Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841)

Neue Pinakothek

Karl Friedrich Schinkel was the most important German architect of his day. His plans ranged from path-breaking neoclassical architectural works, such as Berlin's Neue Wache, Altes Museum, Schauspielhaus and the Bauakademie, as well as Gothic revival works, including the Friedrichwerdersche Kirche. His architectural work was however hindered during the Napoleonic wars as commissions were far and few between. Instead he used his talent as draughtsman to design dioramas and panoramas, both of which were quite popular at the time. His stage decorations for Berlin's Nationaltheater enjoyed a similar popularity, e.g. Mozart's Zauberflöte. During this same period he completed a goodly number of aquarelles and oil paintings. Although he was commissioned for architectural projects for the state of Prussia as early as 1810, it was not until after 1815 that he was able to execute larger projects. In 1826 he traveled to England where he became acquainted with the new construction requirements of the burgeoning Industrial Revolution. Starting in 1830 he was, as Oberbaudirektor placed in charge of all Prussian construction projects. However Schinkel's talent was not limited to his abilities as active architect, interior and stage designer, and painter. He was greatly interested in the technical fundaments and theories of architecture and was an early champion of the preservation of historical monuments.