Georg Moller
Encyclopedia
Georg Moller was an architect and a town planner who worked in the South of Germany, mostly in the region today known as Hessen.
district of Switzerland
. Therefore Moller grew up in a well-situated family.
In 1800, after finishing grammar-school Moller began studying architecture with Christian Ludwig Witte in Hannover. Here he was introduced to Friedrich Weinbrenner
whom he followed to Karlsruhe in 1802, to continue studies at a school for building trades. During the years 1807–1809 Moller took a study trip to Rome where he gained crucial insight from members of the Romancolony of German artists. After finishing this journey he became a construction superintendent in 1810 and was hired as court master builder of the Grand Duchy of Hesse
.
Between his major works in this function are St.-Ludwigs-Kirche, the first Roman Catholic church building in Darmstadt
since the Reformation
--a building whose forms were inspired by the Pantheon
in Rome—the former Landestheater, the Luisenplatz and the Masonic Lodge, what today is the „Moller-Haus“. Furthermore he designed the Staatstheater Mainz, which created some stir because of its half-round facade and the Stadtschloss Wiesbaden of the Dukes of Nassau
, today the seat of the Landtag of Hesse
. 1843–1847 Moller was commissioned by Grand-Duke Ludwig II.
to overview the restoration of Schloss Biedenkopf.
Only two of Georg Moller's major works survived the second world war without damages: the grand-ducal mausoleum at the Rosenhöhe and the Ludwigsäule on the Luisenplatz, both of them in Darmstadt. The other buildings Moller designed were damaged beyond repair or were reconstructed in a more simple design.
Moller also did the reconstruction of the castles in Homburg and Meisenheim
er, the latter called Wolfgangsbau, for the Landgrave
of Hesse-Homburg
. He also worked for prince Klemens von Metternich when he redesigned his Schloss Johannisberg
. He worked in Hannover as well, where he may have been an advisor at the construction of the Wangenheimpalais.
Moller is considered, along with Karl Friedrich Schinkel
and Leo von Klenze
, as one of the most important German architects working in the Greek Revival and Romanticist
styles. His inventiveness as an engineer
and as a composer of space is most visible in the Ludwigskirche in Darmstadt, where it is impressive considering the prevailing provincialism of Darmstadt at that time.
Aside his work as an architect Moller's achievements as a preserver of buildings must not be forgotten. He was at least partly responsible for preserving the Carolingian Torhalle in Lorsch
, which today is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moller in 1818 convinced the Grand-Duke of Hessen-Darmstadt to edict the first ordinance of preservation of ancient buildings, the first law concerning the protection of historic buildings in Germany. His well-known book Denkmäler der Deutschen Baukunst ("Milestones in German architecture"; 1815-1851) was advanced for his time. He also wrote Beiträge zu der Lehre von den Konstruktionen (“Contributions to knowledge on construction”; 1833-1844).
Moller also played an important role for the completion of Cologne Cathedral
. It was he who discovered one half of the original 13.25 feet (4 m) facade drawing by cathedral masterbuilder Arnold in an attic near Darmstadt, while the other half was found by Sulpiz Boisserée
in Paris in 1816. The uncompleted cathedral was completed in accordance with these designs.
Life and family background
Moller was a descendant of an old Norwegian family of clergy, who were known in the 17th century for publishing evangelical songbooks. His father, Levin Adolf Moller, grew up in Westphalia and became a notary in Celle, and by 1777 worked as an advocate and attorney-at-law in Diepholz. Moller's mother, Elisabeth von Castelmur, originated in an old Swiss family of nobility from the Upper EngadinEngadin
The Engadin or Engadine is a long valley in the Swiss Alps located in the canton of Graubünden in southeast Switzerland. It follows the route of the Inn River from its headwaters at Maloja Pass running northeast until the Inn flows into Austria one hundred kilometers downstream...
district of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Therefore Moller grew up in a well-situated family.
In 1800, after finishing grammar-school Moller began studying architecture with Christian Ludwig Witte in Hannover. Here he was introduced to Friedrich Weinbrenner
Friedrich Weinbrenner
Friedrich Weinbrenner was a German architect and city planner admired for his mastery of classical style.- Birth and education :...
whom he followed to Karlsruhe in 1802, to continue studies at a school for building trades. During the years 1807–1809 Moller took a study trip to Rome where he gained crucial insight from members of the Romancolony of German artists. After finishing this journey he became a construction superintendent in 1810 and was hired as court master builder of the Grand Duchy of Hesse
Grand Duchy of Hesse
The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine , or, between 1806 and 1816, Grand Duchy of Hesse —as it was also known after 1816—was a member state of the German Confederation from 1806, when the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was elevated to a Grand Duchy, until 1918, when all the German...
.
Between his major works in this function are St.-Ludwigs-Kirche, the first Roman Catholic church building in Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
since the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
--a building whose forms were inspired by the Pantheon
Pantheon, Rome
The Pantheon ,Rarely Pantheum. This appears in Pliny's Natural History in describing this edifice: Agrippae Pantheum decoravit Diogenes Atheniensis; in columnis templi eius Caryatides probantur inter pauca operum, sicut in fastigio posita signa, sed propter altitudinem loci minus celebrata.from ,...
in Rome—the former Landestheater, the Luisenplatz and the Masonic Lodge, what today is the „Moller-Haus“. Furthermore he designed the Staatstheater Mainz, which created some stir because of its half-round facade and the Stadtschloss Wiesbaden of the Dukes of Nassau
House of Nassau
The House of Nassau is a diversified aristocratic dynasty in Europe. It is named after the lordship associated with Nassau Castle, located in present-day Nassau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The lords of Nassau were originally titled Count of Nassau, then elevated to the princely class as...
, today the seat of the Landtag of Hesse
Landtag of Hesse
The Landtag of Hesse is the state Parliament of the German State of Hesse. It convenes in Wiesbaden and currently consists of 118 members of five Parties. Currently there is coalition between the CDU and the FDP....
. 1843–1847 Moller was commissioned by Grand-Duke Ludwig II.
Louis II, Grand Duke of Hesse
Louis II was Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine from 1830 until 5 March 1848 . He was the son of Louis I, Grand Duke of Hesse....
to overview the restoration of Schloss Biedenkopf.
Only two of Georg Moller's major works survived the second world war without damages: the grand-ducal mausoleum at the Rosenhöhe and the Ludwigsäule on the Luisenplatz, both of them in Darmstadt. The other buildings Moller designed were damaged beyond repair or were reconstructed in a more simple design.
Moller also did the reconstruction of the castles in Homburg and Meisenheim
Meisenheim
Meisenheim is a town in the district of Bad Kreuznach, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the river Glan, approx. 25 km south-west of Bad Kreuznach.Meisenheim is the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde Meisenheim....
er, the latter called Wolfgangsbau, for the Landgrave
Landgrave
Landgrave was a title used in the Holy Roman Empire and later on by its former territories. The title refers to a count who had feudal duty directly to the Holy Roman Emperor...
of Hesse-Homburg
Hesse-Homburg
Hesse-Homburg was formed into a separate landgraviate in 1622 by the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt to be ruled by his son, although it did not become independent of Hesse-Darmstadt until 1668....
. He also worked for prince Klemens von Metternich when he redesigned his Schloss Johannisberg
Schloss Johannisberg
Schloss Johannisberg is a winery in the Rheingau wine-growing region in Germany, that has been making wine for over 900 years. The winery is most noted for its claim to have "discovered" late harvest wine.- History :...
. He worked in Hannover as well, where he may have been an advisor at the construction of the Wangenheimpalais.
Moller is considered, along with Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Karl Friedrich Schinkel was a Prussian architect, city planner, and painter who also designed furniture and stage sets. Schinkel was one of the most prominent architects of Germany and designed both neoclassical and neogothic buildings.-Biography:Schinkel was born in Neuruppin, Margraviate of...
and Leo von Klenze
Leo von Klenze
Leo von Klenze was a German neoclassicist architect, painter and writer...
, as one of the most important German architects working in the Greek Revival and Romanticist
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
styles. His inventiveness as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and as a composer of space is most visible in the Ludwigskirche in Darmstadt, where it is impressive considering the prevailing provincialism of Darmstadt at that time.
Aside his work as an architect Moller's achievements as a preserver of buildings must not be forgotten. He was at least partly responsible for preserving the Carolingian Torhalle in Lorsch
Lorsch
Lorsch is a town in the Bergstraße district in Hesse, Germany, 60 km south of Frankfurt. Lorsch is well known for the Lorsch Abbey, which has been named a World Heritage Site.-Location:...
, which today is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moller in 1818 convinced the Grand-Duke of Hessen-Darmstadt to edict the first ordinance of preservation of ancient buildings, the first law concerning the protection of historic buildings in Germany. His well-known book Denkmäler der Deutschen Baukunst ("Milestones in German architecture"; 1815-1851) was advanced for his time. He also wrote Beiträge zu der Lehre von den Konstruktionen (“Contributions to knowledge on construction”; 1833-1844).
Moller also played an important role for the completion of Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a World Heritage Site...
. It was he who discovered one half of the original 13.25 feet (4 m) facade drawing by cathedral masterbuilder Arnold in an attic near Darmstadt, while the other half was found by Sulpiz Boisserée
Sulpiz Boisserée
Johann Sulpiz Melchior Dominikus Boisserée was a German art collector who played a large role raising money for the restoration the Cathedral of his native city, Cologne.He died at Bonn.-External links:*...
in Paris in 1816. The uncompleted cathedral was completed in accordance with these designs.
Literature
- Bernd Krimmel: Darmstadt in der Zeit des Klassizismus und der Romantik. Hess. Staatsarchiv Darmstadt, 1979
- Eckhart G. Franz: Georg Moller. Hess. Staatsarchiv Darmstadt