Jørgen Hansen Koch
Encyclopedia
Jørgen Hansen Koch was a Neoclassical
Danish
architect. He was the leader of the national Danish building administration from 1835 and director of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1844 to 1849.
, the leading Danish architect of the time. In 1818, together with the sculptor Hermann Ernst Freund, he traveled to Rome
where he met Bertel Thorvaldsen
and other members of the Danish artists' colony who resided in the city at that time. Freund became Thorvaldsen's assistant while Koch later continued to Greece
, making him the first Danish architect educated at the Academy to visit the cradle of the Classical architecture which was the period's main source of inspiration for architects. He also visited Constantinople
before returning to Italy. In 1822 he returned to Denmark by way of France
and London
.
Back in Denmark, he was appointed Royal Master Builder, succeeding Christian Frederik Hansen
as the leader of the national building administration. From 1835 he also held a professorial chair at the Royal Academy and between 1844 and 1849 served as its director.
In 1837 he became part of the Committee for the Foundation of Thorvaldsen's Museum.
(1827–28) and Bernstorff's Mansion (1829). He also designed a number of schools, including Frederiksborg Gymnasium and Roskulde Cathedral School.
. Andersen had an open invitation to visit the family for dinner on Fridays. Andersen also developed a friendly relationship with their childrem which continued after the parents' death, as did the dinner arrangement on Fridays. Andersen also new other members of the Koch and Wulff families.
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
architect. He was the leader of the national Danish building administration from 1835 and director of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1844 to 1849.
Biography
Koch attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1807 to 1816 where he studied under Christian Frederik HansenChristian Frederik Hansen
Christian Frederik Hansen , known as C.F. Hansen, was the leading Danish architect between the late 18th century and the mid 19th century, and on account of his position at the Royal Danish Academy of Art the most powerful person in artistic circles for many years...
, the leading Danish architect of the time. In 1818, together with the sculptor Hermann Ernst Freund, he traveled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
where he met Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen was a Danish-Icelandic sculptor of international fame, who spent most of his life in Italy . Thorvaldsen was born in Copenhagen into a Danish/Icelandic family of humble means, and was accepted to the Royal Academy of Arts when he was eleven years old...
and other members of the Danish artists' colony who resided in the city at that time. Freund became Thorvaldsen's assistant while Koch later continued to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, making him the first Danish architect educated at the Academy to visit the cradle of the Classical architecture which was the period's main source of inspiration for architects. He also visited Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
before returning to Italy. In 1822 he returned to Denmark by way of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Back in Denmark, he was appointed Royal Master Builder, succeeding Christian Frederik Hansen
Christian Frederik Hansen
Christian Frederik Hansen , known as C.F. Hansen, was the leading Danish architect between the late 18th century and the mid 19th century, and on account of his position at the Royal Danish Academy of Art the most powerful person in artistic circles for many years...
as the leader of the national building administration. From 1835 he also held a professorial chair at the Royal Academy and between 1844 and 1849 served as its director.
In 1837 he became part of the Committee for the Foundation of Thorvaldsen's Museum.
Works
Koch was responsible for a number of renovations and reconstructions of Royal residences, inclu ding Brockdorff's PalaceBrockdorff's Palace
Brockdorff's Palace is one of the four palaces of Amalienborg in Copenhagen. It was built 1750-1760 by Baron Joachim Brockdorff. Since 1765 it has been owned by the crown, first used as naval academy and since 1828 as residence of various part of the royal family, among those King Frederick VIII...
(1827–28) and Bernstorff's Mansion (1829). He also designed a number of schools, including Frederiksborg Gymnasium and Roskulde Cathedral School.
Family and Hans Christian Andersen link
Jørgen Koch was married to Ida Koch née Wulff. They belonged to the circle around Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
. Andersen had an open invitation to visit the family for dinner on Fridays. Andersen also developed a friendly relationship with their childrem which continued after the parents' death, as did the dinner arrangement on Fridays. Andersen also new other members of the Koch and Wulff families.