Johan Henrik Nebelong

Johan Henrik Nebelong (1817—1871) was a Danish architect, and brother of Niels Sigfried Nebelong, worked in Norway from 1840 to 1853. Best known for Oscarshall (1847–1852). His other buildings include Tollpakkhuset (customs house), Kommandantboligen (Commanders living quarters at Akershus festning), De naturhistoriske samlinger (Bergen Museum), and reconstructions on Heddal stavkirke, Telemark (1851).

Nebelong's first job in Norway was as assistant to HDF Linstow. The latter was in charge of decorative works on the Royal Palace in Christiania. His next assignments were on the excavations of the main island monastery and the restoration project of Stave Church. Nebelong also taught at the Royal Drawing School.^[1]

Training

Nebelong was a student of Professor GF Hetsch in Copenhagen. He later enrolled at the Royal Academy of Arts. At the Academy he won the prestigious silver medal in 1839. The accolade was followed immediately by a proposal to come to Christiania and assist the architect HDF Linstow. Nebelong was hired to assist Linstow in drawing interior works of the royal palace. He was involved in the castle renovation project from 1840 to 1848. In 1842, he received a government grant to study in Germany.^[1]

Nebelong worked closely with architect Heinrich Ernst Schirmer, decorative painter Peter F. Wergmann and painter John Flintoe. This quartet worked under the guidance of Linstow. Although Linstow's influence stimulated much in Nebelong, the latter soon developed his signature designs and style. Nebelong is often associated with the new Swiss style and the unique style with which he infused his refurbished masonry designs such as the large apartment building for Nestor Malthe.^[1]

The Rosenkrantz Gate in Oslo, designed by Johan Henrik Nebelong.

The Commanders living quarters at Akershus.

The Rosenkrantz Gate in Oslo.

Another of Nebelong's buildings in Oslo.

References