Alejandro Christophersen
Encyclopedia
Alejandro Christophersen (1866 –1946) was an Argentine architect and artist of Norwegian
descent who designed many important buildings in the city of Buenos Aires
, including the renowned Anchorena Palace
.
in 1866, the son of the Norwegian Consul in that city. He studied architecture in Belgium
and art in Paris
. In 1888, he arrived in Buenos Aires
and during his career as an architect gave the city many of its most important buildings.
He was a professor in the School of Architecture of the School of Natural and Exact Sciences in the University of Buenos Aires
, and is considered to be one of the central figures of eclectic architecture in Argentina, where he was one of the founder members of the Central Society of Architects. His earlier works were influenced by French Second Empire architecture, though his later projects were Rationalist.
Christophersen was also an accomplished painter, and became well-known for his impressionist portraits of local society ladies. He died in Buenos Aires in 1946.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
descent who designed many important buildings in the city of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, including the renowned Anchorena Palace
San Martin Palace
San Martín Palace is located facing Plaza San Martín in the Retiro neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina and serves as the Ceremonial Headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Relations.-History:...
.
Biography
Christophersen was born in Cádiz, SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1866, the son of the Norwegian Consul in that city. He studied architecture in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and art in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1888, he arrived in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
and during his career as an architect gave the city many of its most important buildings.
He was a professor in the School of Architecture of the School of Natural and Exact Sciences in the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, and is considered to be one of the central figures of eclectic architecture in Argentina, where he was one of the founder members of the Central Society of Architects. His earlier works were influenced by French Second Empire architecture, though his later projects were Rationalist.
Christophersen was also an accomplished painter, and became well-known for his impressionist portraits of local society ladies. He died in Buenos Aires in 1946.
Works
His most important works include:- Astoria Hotel at 902 Avenida de MayoAvenida de MayoAvenida de Mayo , is an avenue in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. It connects the Plaza de Mayo with Congressional Plaza, and extends in a west-east direction before merging into Avenida Rivadavia.-History and overview:...
, 1895. - Façade of Café TortoniCafé TortoniThe Café Tortoni is a coffeehouse located at #825 of Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Inaugurated on 1858 by a French immigrant whose surname was Touan, it was named Tortoni after the local in Paris at Boulevard des Italiens where the elite of the Parissiense culture gathered in the 19th...
in Avenida de MayoAvenida de MayoAvenida de Mayo , is an avenue in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. It connects the Plaza de Mayo with Congressional Plaza, and extends in a west-east direction before merging into Avenida Rivadavia.-History and overview:...
, 1898. - Private residence for Adela Unzué de Leloir at 1264 Libertad street, 1903 (since 1944 the headquarters of Círcolo Italiano).
- Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity at 323 Brasil street, 1905.
- Construction of Anchorena PalaceSan Martin PalaceSan Martín Palace is located facing Plaza San Martín in the Retiro neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina and serves as the Ceremonial Headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Relations.-History:...
at 761 Arenales street for the family of Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena (today the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsForeign relations of ArgentinaThis article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of Argentina.At the political level, these matters are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, also known as the Cancillería, which answers to the President...
), 1910. - Headquarters for the Argentine Association of Actors at 1762 Adolfo Alsina street, 1914.
- Buenos Aires Stock ExchangeBuenos Aires Stock ExchangeThe Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is the organization responsible for the operation of Argentina's primary stock exchange located at Buenos Aires CBD. Founded in 1854, is the successor of the Banco Mercantil, created in 1822 by Bernardino Rivadavia.Citing BCBA's self definition: "It is a...
at 299 Sarmiento street, inaugurated 1916. - Basílica of Santa Rosa de Lima at the junction of Belgrano Avenue and Pasco street, 1928-34.
- Transradio Building, Corrientes AvenueCorrientes AvenueAvenida Corrientes is one of the principal thoroughfares of the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. The street is intimately tied to the tango and the porteño sense of identity...
, 1940.
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