Dominikus Böhm
Encyclopedia
Dominikus Böhm was a German architect
specializing in churches. He build churches in Cologne, the Ruhr
area, Swabia
, and Hesse
. Many of his building are examples of Brick Expressionism
.
Böhm was born in Jettingen as the youngest of six children to builder and major Alois Böhm and his wife Katharina (née Hofmiller).
He studied at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and graduated in 1900. He became a teacher at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach
from 1908-1926. He also attended lectures by Theodor Fischer
at the University of Stuttgart
.
He worked with several partners, including Martin Weber
and Rudolf Schwarz
, designing and constructing churches.
In 1926, Böhm became professor for Christian art
under Richard Riemerschmid
at the Kölner Werkschulen
in Cologne
. His works, including the Christ the King church (Christkönigskirche) in Bischofsheim, polarized between support (e.g. by the art historian August Hoff) and rejection (e.g. Michael von Faulhaber).
During World War II
he became (through his membership in the Block Kölner Baukünstler) member of the NSDAP, but never engaged in construction for the government, and went into semi-retirement. After the war, he retook his position in Cologne, and constructed eight new churches in the massively damaged city.
He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 1950, and the Order of St. Sylvester
in 1952.
Böhm died in Cologne
, where he was buried on August 10, 1955.
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...
specializing in churches. He build churches in Cologne, the Ruhr
Ruhr
The Ruhr is a medium-size river in western Germany , a right tributary of the Rhine.-Description:The source of the Ruhr is near the town of Winterberg in the mountainous Sauerland region, at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet...
area, Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
, and Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
. Many of his building are examples of Brick Expressionism
Brick Expressionism
The term Brick Expressionism describes a specific variant of expressionist architecture that uses bricks, tiles or clinker bricks as the main visible building material...
.
Böhm was born in Jettingen as the youngest of six children to builder and major Alois Böhm and his wife Katharina (née Hofmiller).
He studied at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and graduated in 1900. He became a teacher at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach
Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach
The Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main is an art and design university in the German State of Hesse. The school is divided into two departments. It was given university status in 1970. The degree course offers a choice of five different final examination topics: art, communication design,...
from 1908-1926. He also attended lectures by Theodor Fischer
Theodor Fischer
Theodor Fischer was a German architect and teacher.Fischer planned public housing projects for the city of Munich beginning in 1893. He was the joint founder and first chairman of the Deutscher Werkbund , as well as member of the German version of the Garden city movement...
at the University of Stuttgart
University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart is a university located in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 1829 and is organized in 10 faculties....
.
He worked with several partners, including Martin Weber
Martin Weber (architect)
Martin Weber was a German architect who designed Catholic churches.-Life and work:After training in construction, he went to the building and art school in Offenbach am Main...
and Rudolf Schwarz
Rudolf Schwarz (architect)
Rudolf Schwarz was a German architect known for his work on Kirche St. Fronleichnam, Aachen. He also played a decisive role in the reconstruction of Cologne after the Second World War. After conducting Cologne's reconstruction authority between 1947 and 1952 he contributed to the rebuilding of the...
, designing and constructing churches.
In 1926, Böhm became professor for Christian art
Christian art
Christian art is sacred art produced in an attempt to illustrate, supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity, though other definitions are possible. Most Christian groups use or have used art to some extent, although some have had strong objections to some forms of...
under Richard Riemerschmid
Richard Riemerschmid
Richard Riemerschmid was a German architect, painter, designer and city planner from Munich. He was a major figure in Jugendstil, the German form of Art Nouveau, and a founder of architecture in the style...
at the Kölner Werkschulen
Kölner Werkschulen
The Kölner Werkschulen were a series of schools in Cologne training artists in visual arts, architecture and design from 1926 to 1971.- Directors :* 1879–1906: Friedrich Romberg, engineers* 1906–1910: Gustav Halmhuber, architect and painter...
in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
. His works, including the Christ the King church (Christkönigskirche) in Bischofsheim, polarized between support (e.g. by the art historian August Hoff) and rejection (e.g. Michael von Faulhaber).
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he became (through his membership in the Block Kölner Baukünstler) member of the NSDAP, but never engaged in construction for the government, and went into semi-retirement. After the war, he retook his position in Cologne, and constructed eight new churches in the massively damaged city.
He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 1950, and the Order of St. Sylvester
Order of St. Sylvester
The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester Pope and Martyr , sometimes referred to as the Sylvestrine Order, or the Pontifical Order of Pope St Sylvester, is one of five Orders of Knighthood awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of...
in 1952.
Böhm died in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, where he was buried on August 10, 1955.