Schilling & Graebner
Encyclopedia
Schilling & Graebner was founded by the architect
s Rudolf Schilling (1859–1933) and Julius Graebner (1858–1917) in Dresden in 1889. Over the years Schilling & Graebner changed their style repeatedly. Starting with historistic buildings
they became especially known as leading German architects of Art Nouveau
and Modernity
. Their presumably most important building is the church Christuskirche in Strehlen (1903-1905). This landmark of Dresden marks the transition of sacral
architecture in Germany from historicism to modernity.
Beside such important works like the town hall of Pieschen (Renaissance Revival architecture, 1891), Dresden's former most impressive business premises Kaiserpalast (Baroque Revival architecture, 1896, destroyed 1945), and an obelisk
in front of Dresden castle
on occasion of the 800th anniversary of the House of Wettin in 1896, Schilling & Graebner were especially engaged in building of Protestant
churches, in Dresden but also in small towns. The Lutherkirche Radebeul
was built in 1891 (Renaissance Revival architecture) and the interior of the Kreuzkirche
was re-designed from 1897 to 1900 (Art Nouveau), after a fire had destroyed it. Graebner was member of the directorate of the Dürerbund
. As members of Deutscher Werkbund
Schilling and Graebner designed many of their later villas, public and sacral buildings according to the principles of modernity as propagated by the Werkbund. The former Zionskirche
, built 1908-1912 and destroyed in 1945, was an extraordinary example of this architectural style.
After Graebner's death his son joined the office. It had to be finally closed in 1947.
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...
s Rudolf Schilling (1859–1933) and Julius Graebner (1858–1917) in Dresden in 1889. Over the years Schilling & Graebner changed their style repeatedly. Starting with historistic buildings
Historicism (art)
Historicism refers to artistic styles that draw their inspiration from copying historic styles or artisans. After neo-classicism, which could itself be considered a historicist movement, the 19th century saw a new historicist phase marked by a return to a more ancient classicism, in particular in...
they became especially known as leading German architects of Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
and Modernity
Modernity
Modernity typically refers to a post-traditional, post-medieval historical period, one marked by the move from feudalism toward capitalism, industrialization, secularization, rationalization, the nation-state and its constituent institutions and forms of surveillance...
. Their presumably most important building is the church Christuskirche in Strehlen (1903-1905). This landmark of Dresden marks the transition of sacral
Sacral
Sacral may refer to:*sacred*sacrum...
architecture in Germany from historicism to modernity.
Beside such important works like the town hall of Pieschen (Renaissance Revival architecture, 1891), Dresden's former most impressive business premises Kaiserpalast (Baroque Revival architecture, 1896, destroyed 1945), and an obelisk
Obelisk
An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top, and is said to resemble a petrified ray of the sun-disk. A pair of obelisks usually stood in front of a pylon...
in front of Dresden castle
Dresden castle
Dresden Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden. For almost 400 years, it has been the residence of the electors and kings of Saxony...
on occasion of the 800th anniversary of the House of Wettin in 1896, Schilling & Graebner were especially engaged in building of Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
churches, in Dresden but also in small towns. The Lutherkirche Radebeul
Radebeul
Radebeul is a town in the Elbe valley in the district of Meißen in Saxony, Germany, a suburb of Dresden. It is well-known for its viticulture, a museum dedicated to writer Karl May and a narrow gauge railway connecting Radebeul with the castle of Moritzburg and the town of Radeburg...
was built in 1891 (Renaissance Revival architecture) and the interior of the Kreuzkirche
Kreuzkirche
The Church of the Cross in Dresden is the largest church in Saxony, and home to the Dresdner Kreuzchor boy choir. Known since the early 12th century, it was officially dedicated on 10 June 1388 to the Holy Cross. Since 1491, it has burned down five times...
was re-designed from 1897 to 1900 (Art Nouveau), after a fire had destroyed it. Graebner was member of the directorate of the Dürerbund
Dürerbund
The Dürerbund was an organization of writers and artists with a strong influence on the intellectual life of the middle class in the German Reich, but also in Austria and Switzerland....
. As members of Deutscher Werkbund
Deutscher Werkbund
The Deutscher Werkbund was a German association of artists, architects, designers, and industrialists. The Werkbund was to become an important event in the development of modern architecture and industrial design, particularly in the later creation of the Bauhaus school of design...
Schilling and Graebner designed many of their later villas, public and sacral buildings according to the principles of modernity as propagated by the Werkbund. The former Zionskirche
Zionskirche, Dresden
The Zionskirche is the name given to two Evangelical Lutheran church buildings in the Südvorstadt district of Dresden. The first, the Alten Zionskirche or Old Zionskirche was built by Schilling & Graebner from 1908 to 1912. This building was hit and badly damaged by fire during the bombing in...
, built 1908-1912 and destroyed in 1945, was an extraordinary example of this architectural style.
After Graebner's death his son joined the office. It had to be finally closed in 1947.
Further reading
- Ricarda Kube: Schilling und Graebner (1889–1917) – Das Werk einer Dresdner Architektenfirma. Dissertation an der Technischen Universität Dresden, 2 Bände, 1988.
- Landkirchen. Entworfen und ausgeführt von den Architekten Schilling & Graebner. Mit einem Geleitwort von Dr. Paul Schumann. Leipzig, Gilbertsche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1903.
- Guy Eglinton, Peyton Boswell: International studio, Vol. 13. New York Offices of the International Studio, 1901, pp. 283, 284.
- Ralph Adams Cram: Christian art: an illustrated monthly magazine devoted to current church building, American and foreign, and the allied ecclesiological arts, with expert discussions of all topics relating to Christian archaeology, Vol. 4. R.S. Badger, 1908, pp 14-18.
External links
- Schilling & Graebner at EuropeanaEuropeanaEuropeana.eu is an internet portal that acts as an interface to millions of books, paintings, films, museum objects and archival records that have been digitised throughout Europe...
- Protestantischer Kirchenbau von Schilling & Graebner (PDF; 925 kB)