Maximilian Messmacher
Encyclopedia
Maximilian Egorovich Messmacher (also referred to as Maximilian von Messmacher) (1842–1906) was a Russian architect of German ancestry. He attended the School of Painting of St. Petersburg Society for the Encouragement of Arts and thereafter the Imperial Academy of Arts
, graduating in 1866. He was Professor of artistic and industrial painting as well as the history of decorative styles. He also developed a coherent system of academic training in arts
. His main activities are however related to architecture
and interior decoration. He engaged in the architecture and interior decoration of palace
s of the members of the imperial family and of the mansions of aristocrats, as well as of several churches.
in 1842. He attended a high school in Saint Petersburg from 1850 to 1857 and thereafter the School of Painting of St. Petersburg Society for the Encouragement of Arts. Finally, in 1866 he graduated from the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, receiving the gold medal for his graduation
project.
He visited Italy and old Russian towns as a retainer of the Academy of Fine Arts He brought back over 200 watercolors from this trip, which are preserved at the State Hermitage Department of Drawings.. He also took part with Viktor Kossov ( in the restoration
of the ancient theatre of Taormina
(Sicily
) drawing the plans for the general restoration works and for the façade
. For this contribution he was also awarded a degree in architecture (1873)
In 1874 he was appointed professor at the School of Painting of the St. Petersburg Society for the Encouragement of Arts, teaching artistic and industrial painting as well as the history of decorative styles. In 1877-1879 he worked with A, Schambacher on the reconstruction of the school’s building
In 1879, he was promoted director of Baron von Stieglitz’s
Central School of Technical Drawing. In this capacity he developed a coherent system of academic training, an essential contribution to the development of art education in Russia.
His main activities are however related to architecture and interior decoration. He engaged in the architecture and interior decoration of palaces of the members of the imperial family and of the mansions of aristocrats. Messmacher's most significant works in St. Petersburg are: the palaces of the Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich
and of the of Grand Duke Mikhail Mikhailovich as well as the interior decorations of the palaces of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich
, of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich
as well as of the Anichkov Palace
. He also worked on the Palace of Tsar Alexander III
in Massandra
, Crimea
, which was finished after the tsar’s assassination. Messmacher's works are distinctive due to a refined expressiveness of the silhouette, grandeur and diversity of artistic and decorative techniques for the facades and for the interiors. Eclecticism.
Part of his work also concerned the design and decoration of churches, Messmacher was in charge of the restoration of Saint Isaac's Cathedral
and in 1882 was appointed the chief architect of the church), One of Messmacher's last works is the interior of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (1895–97).
After 1897, Maximilan Messmacher moved to Germany
and worked mostly there. He died in 1906 in Dresden
, Germany
and is interred at the Lutheran cemetery Johannisfriedhof.
Imperial Academy of Arts
The Russian Academy of Arts, informally known as the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, was founded in 1757 by Ivan Shuvalov under the name Academy of the Three Noblest Arts. Catherine the Great renamed it the Imperial Academy of Arts and commissioned a new building, completed 25 years later in 1789...
, graduating in 1866. He was Professor of artistic and industrial painting as well as the history of decorative styles. He also developed a coherent system of academic training in arts
ARts
aRts, which stands for analog Real time synthesizer, is an audio framework that is no longer under development. It is best known for previously being used in KDE to simulate an analog synthesizer....
. His main activities are however related to architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and interior decoration. He engaged in the architecture and interior decoration of palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
s of the members of the imperial family and of the mansions of aristocrats, as well as of several churches.
Biography
Messmacher was born in Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
in 1842. He attended a high school in Saint Petersburg from 1850 to 1857 and thereafter the School of Painting of St. Petersburg Society for the Encouragement of Arts. Finally, in 1866 he graduated from the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, receiving the gold medal for his graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
project.
He visited Italy and old Russian towns as a retainer of the Academy of Fine Arts He brought back over 200 watercolors from this trip, which are preserved at the State Hermitage Department of Drawings.. He also took part with Viktor Kossov ( in the restoration
Building restoration
Building restoration describes a particular treatment approach and philosophy within the field of architectural conservation. According the U.S...
of the ancient theatre of Taormina
Taormina
Taormina is a comune and small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina and Catania. Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century...
(Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
) drawing the plans for the general restoration works and for the façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
. For this contribution he was also awarded a degree in architecture (1873)
In 1874 he was appointed professor at the School of Painting of the St. Petersburg Society for the Encouragement of Arts, teaching artistic and industrial painting as well as the history of decorative styles. In 1877-1879 he worked with A, Schambacher on the reconstruction of the school’s building
In 1879, he was promoted director of Baron von Stieglitz’s
Alexander von Stieglitz
Baron Alexander von Stieglitz was a Russian philanthropist and financier. He was the first governor of the State Bank of the Russian Empire, the predecessor organization to today's Central Bank of the Russian Federation.-Early life and education:...
Central School of Technical Drawing. In this capacity he developed a coherent system of academic training, an essential contribution to the development of art education in Russia.
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia was the sixth child and the fourth son of Alexander II of Russia and his first wife Maria Alexandrovna . Destined to a naval career, Alexei Alexandrovich started his military training at the age of 7...
and of the of Grand Duke Mikhail Mikhailovich as well as the interior decorations of the palaces of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich
Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia ) was a son of Emperor Alexander II of Russia...
, of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich
Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia was the eighth child of Tsar Alexander II of Russia by his first wife Empress Maria Alexandrovna. His birth was commemorated by the naming of the city of Pavlodar in Kazakhstan...
as well as of the Anichkov Palace
Anichkov Palace
Anichkov Palace is a former imperial palace in Saint Petersburg, at the intersection of Nevsky Avenue and the Fontanka.-History:The palace, situated on the plot formerly owned by Antonio de Vieira, takes its name from the nearby Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka...
. He also worked on the Palace of Tsar Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
in Massandra
Massandra
Massandra is a townlet in the Yalta region of Crimea. Occupying the spot of an ancient Greek settlement, Massandra was acquired by Counts Potocki in 1783....
, Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
, which was finished after the tsar’s assassination. Messmacher's works are distinctive due to a refined expressiveness of the silhouette, grandeur and diversity of artistic and decorative techniques for the facades and for the interiors. Eclecticism.
Part of his work also concerned the design and decoration of churches, Messmacher was in charge of the restoration of Saint Isaac's Cathedral
Saint Isaac's Cathedral
Saint Isaac's Cathedral or Isaakievskiy Sobor in Saint Petersburg, Russia is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city...
and in 1882 was appointed the chief architect of the church), One of Messmacher's last works is the interior of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (1895–97).
After 1897, Maximilan Messmacher moved to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and worked mostly there. He died in 1906 in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and is interred at the Lutheran cemetery Johannisfriedhof.
Main projects
- Interior decoration of the residence of V.F. Gagarin (1873–1874) on Bolshaya Morskaya Street Nr.45
- Iconostatis of the Smolny ConventSmolny ConventSmolny Convent or Smolny Convent of the Resurrection , located on Ploschad Rastrelli, on the bank of the River Neva in Saint Petersburg, Russia, consists of a cathedral and a complex of buildings surrounding it, originally intended for a convent.-History:This Russian Orthodox convent was built to...
(1873–1875) - Church of Saints Kosma and Damyan at the Guards Battalion on Kirochnaya Street Nr. 28a (1876–1879)
- Reconstruction of the Building of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts on Bolshaya Morskaya Street Nr. 38 (1877–1878)
- Restoration of Saint Isaac's CathedralSaint Isaac's CathedralSaint Isaac's Cathedral or Isaakievskiy Sobor in Saint Petersburg, Russia is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city...
(1877–1888) - Decoration of the private chapel of A.D. Stroganov on Tchaikovsky Street Nr. 11 (1878–1879)
- Interior decoration of the Vladimir PalaceVladimir PalaceThe Vladimir Palace was the last imperial palace to be constructed in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was designed by a team of architects for Alexander II's son, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia...
on Dvortsovy Embankment Nr. 26 (1882–1885) - Palace of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich on Moika Embankment Nr. 122 (1882–1885)
- Building of the State Archives on Millionnaya Street Nr. 36
- Building of Baron von Stieglitz’sAlexander von StieglitzBaron Alexander von Stieglitz was a Russian philanthropist and financier. He was the first governor of the State Bank of the Russian Empire, the predecessor organization to today's Central Bank of the Russian Federation.-Early life and education:...
Central School of Technical Drawing on Solyan Lane Nr. 13 (1885–1886) - Palace of Grand Duke Mikhail Mikhailovich on Admiralty Embankment Nr. 8 (1885–1888)
- Building of the Museum for Baron von Stieglitz’sAlexander von StieglitzBaron Alexander von Stieglitz was a Russian philanthropist and financier. He was the first governor of the State Bank of the Russian Empire, the predecessor organization to today's Central Bank of the Russian Federation.-Early life and education:...
Central School of Technical Drawing on Solyan Lane Nr.15 (1885–1896) - Interior decoration of the Anichkov PalaceAnichkov PalaceAnichkov Palace is a former imperial palace in Saint Petersburg, at the intersection of Nevsky Avenue and the Fontanka.-History:The palace, situated on the plot formerly owned by Antonio de Vieira, takes its name from the nearby Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka...
on Nevsky ProspektNevsky ProspektNevsky Avenue |Prospekt]]) is the main street in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. Planned by Peter the Great as beginning of the road to Novgorod and Moscow, the avenue runs from the Admiralty to the Moscow Railway Station and, after making a turn at Vosstaniya Square, to the Alexander...
Nr. 39 (1886–1887) - Manege and stables of N.M. Polovtsov on the Kryukov Canal Embankment Nr. 12 (1887)
- Interior decoration of the Palace of Grand Duke Pavel AlexandrovichGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia was the eighth child of Tsar Alexander II of Russia by his first wife Empress Maria Alexandrovna. His birth was commemorated by the naming of the city of Pavlodar in Kazakhstan...
on Angliyskaya Embankment Nr. 68 (1888–1892) - Interior decoration of the Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir AlexandrovichGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia ) was a son of Emperor Alexander II of Russia...
(1888–1892) - Interior decoration of the residence of Alexander Alexandrovich PolovtsovAlexander PolovtsovAlexander Alexandrovich Polovtsov was a Russian statesman, historian and Maecenas, the founder of the Russian Historian Society.Alexander was born to a medium noble family. His father had his family estate in the Luga uyezd of Saint Petersburg gubernia and served as a government bureaucrat working...
on Bolshaya Morskaya Street Nr. 52 (1888–1892) - Palace of Tsar Alexander IIIAlexander III of RussiaAlexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
in MassandraMassandraMassandra is a townlet in the Yalta region of Crimea. Occupying the spot of an ancient Greek settlement, Massandra was acquired by Counts Potocki in 1783....
, CrimeaCrimeaCrimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
(1892–1900) - Interior decoration of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Nevsky ProspektNevsky ProspektNevsky Avenue |Prospekt]]) is the main street in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. Planned by Peter the Great as beginning of the road to Novgorod and Moscow, the avenue runs from the Admiralty to the Moscow Railway Station and, after making a turn at Vosstaniya Square, to the Alexander...
Nr. 22-24 (1896–1899)