Baron Theophil von Hansen

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Baron Theophil von Hansen
Baron Theophil von Hansen

Baron Theophil Edvard von Hansen (original Danish name: Theophilus Hansen) (July 13, 1813 in Copenhagen - February 17, 1891 in Vienna) was a Danish architect. He became particularly well-known for his buildings and structures in Vienna, and is considered an outstanding representative of neoclassicism.

After training with Karl Friedrich Schinkel, he spent several years in Athens starting in 1837. It was here that he studied architecture and design, with a concentration and interest in Byzantine architecture. During his stay in Athens, Hansen designed the National Observatory of Athens building and two of the three contiguous buildings forming the so-called "classical trilogy", namely the Academy of Athens and the National Library of Greece, the third building of the trilogy being the National and Capodistrian University of Athens, which was designed by his brother Christian Frederik Hansen. Upon his return to Vienna in 1846, he took up an apprenticeship with noted Austrian architect Ludwig Förster.

In his early works, such as the museum at The Arsenal in Vienna, Hansen was still rather aligned to a more romantic style. In later years, he became the most outstanding representative of Renaissance-inspired historicism (Neorenaissance), which also came to be known as Viennese-style. This style extended into the smallest details of the interior design and partially accepted the courses of a synthesis of the arts.

Along with Förster and many others, Hansen was one of the most important and influential architects of the Viennese Ringstraße. His most famous work is the Austrian Parliament building, which was created in the style of an ancient, neo-classic temple, and serves to refer to the Greek beginnings of democracy. Hansen was originally a staunch critic of the Classical style that was taught to him at the Copenhagen Academy. Over the years, however, he came to incorporate Classical elements into his forms. Bauleiter on this project was Hans Auer, who would go on to win the competition for the Swiss Bundeshaus.

Hansen's famed Musikverein in Vienna is one of the most notable concert halls in the world; a concert hall whose design and acoustics are often admired and copied in present-day music houses.

Hansen worked together with Viktor Pilz and Carl Rahl, as well as with Otto Wagner.

The modern Academy of Athens (right), next to the University of Athens (left) and the National Library (not shown, left of the University) forming 'the Trilogy'. The Academy and the University buildings were designed by Schinkel's Danish pupil Theophil Hansen, 1885, in Greek Ionic, academically correct even to the polychrome sculpture.
The modern Academy of Athens (right), next to the University of Athens (left) and the National Library (not shown, left of the University) forming 'the Trilogy'. The Academy and the University buildings were designed by Schinkel's Danish pupil Theophil Hansen, 1885, in Greek Ionic, academically correct even to the polychrome sculpture.

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Regarding personal names: Freiherr is a title, translated as Baron, not a first or middle name. The female forms are Freifrau and Freiin.

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Reichsrat in Vienna, today Austrian Parliament Building

Musikverein building in Vienna

Goldener Saal in the Musikvereinsgebäude in Vienna

"Academy of Athens", part of the 'Trilogy' of Hansen in downtown Athens

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Hansen, Theophil Edvard Freiherr von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hansen, Theophilus
SHORT DESCRIPTION Danish architect
DATE OF BIRTH July 13, 1813
PLACE OF BIRTH Copenhagen
DATE OF DEATH February 17, 1891
PLACE OF DEATH Vienna