Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis
Encyclopedia
Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis was first professional Latvia
n architect
. Baumanis designed the Riga Circus in 1888. He was responsible for a number of important Eclectic
public buildings constructed in the second half of the 19th century in Riga.
as ferryman's son. In youth started to work as carpenter. In Riga he was spotted by St. Petersburgs architect Ludvig Bohnstedt. With his support he started studies in Berlin
s Bauakademie
(1860–62) and in St.Petersburgs academy of arts (1862–65). After that he was a government architect in Livland (now Vidzeme
) until he established his own practice in Riga.
Baumanis also played important role in Latvian cultural history. In 1862 he helped to establish First union of Russian architects in St.Petersburg. In 1879 he took part to establish Union of Riga architects (Rigaer Architektten Verein). Also in 1868 he helped to establish Latvian union in Riga.
His main activity was in the area of former Riga defence wall
s. Sand walls in Riga was torn down in mid 19th century and a new string of boulevards was planned. He has designed 40% of buildings in this area. Mostly his buildings were eclectic (neo-renaissance
and neo-gothic) with refined details and well done plastic forms.
He has designed Alexanders Gymnasium in Riga (Now Latvian academy of Music
) in 1870-75.
From 1887 to 1888 Baumanis was responsible for the building of the Riga Regional Court at 34 Brīvības Blvd. In its construction Baumanis drew on Classicism
and Baroque
influences for the facades. The structure won him considerable acclaim not only for the exterior but also for the interior design. Overall he has designed more than 150 buildings in Riga.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. Baumanis designed the Riga Circus in 1888. He was responsible for a number of important Eclectic
Eclecticism in art
Eclecticism is a kind of mixed style in the fine arts: "the borrowing of a variety of styles from different sources and combining them" . Significantly, Eclecticism hardly ever constituted a specific style in art: it is characterized by the fact that it was not a particular style...
public buildings constructed in the second half of the 19th century in Riga.
Biography
Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis was born in 1834 in RigaRiga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
as ferryman's son. In youth started to work as carpenter. In Riga he was spotted by St. Petersburgs architect Ludvig Bohnstedt. With his support he started studies in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
s Bauakademie
Bauakademie
The Bauakademie in Berlin, Germany, built between 1832 and 1836, is considered one of the forerunners of modern architecture due to its theretofore uncommon use of red brick and the relatively streamlined facade of the building.Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the Bauakademie was built near...
(1860–62) and in St.Petersburgs academy of arts (1862–65). After that he was a government architect in Livland (now Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
) until he established his own practice in Riga.
Baumanis also played important role in Latvian cultural history. In 1862 he helped to establish First union of Russian architects in St.Petersburg. In 1879 he took part to establish Union of Riga architects (Rigaer Architektten Verein). Also in 1868 he helped to establish Latvian union in Riga.
His main activity was in the area of former Riga defence wall
Wall
A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects an area. Most commonly, a wall delineates a building and supports its superstructure, separates space in buildings into rooms, or protects or delineates a space in the open air...
s. Sand walls in Riga was torn down in mid 19th century and a new string of boulevards was planned. He has designed 40% of buildings in this area. Mostly his buildings were eclectic (neo-renaissance
Neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...
and neo-gothic) with refined details and well done plastic forms.
He has designed Alexanders Gymnasium in Riga (Now Latvian academy of Music
Latvian Academy of Music
The Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music , formerly Riga Conservatory, is the major higher learning music institution in Latvia. The junior institute is the Emils Darzins Music School.-History:...
) in 1870-75.
From 1887 to 1888 Baumanis was responsible for the building of the Riga Regional Court at 34 Brīvības Blvd. In its construction Baumanis drew on Classicism
Classicism
Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...
and Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
influences for the facades. The structure won him considerable acclaim not only for the exterior but also for the interior design. Overall he has designed more than 150 buildings in Riga.