The Salle Schemitt at the Monte Carlo Casino remains a testament to the early professional efforts of Hans-Georg Tersling, who moved to France shortly after graduating from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1879. He became a fixture of the Belle Époque, defining the architectural landscape of the French Riviera for a generation of European elite.
Formative Years in Denmark
Born in 1857 in Karlebo Parish, Tersling began his working life as a carpenter. His father, Carl Gustav Tersling, died when he was only three, leaving his mother, Caroline Marie Elisabeth Hall, to oversee his early upbringing. Following his carpentry training, he enrolled in the architecture school at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he received his diploma in 1879.
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Upon arriving in France, Tersling secured employment under Charles Garnier, contributing to the construction of the Monte Carlo Casino. After a period residing in Paris, he relocated to Menton. His reputation grew rapidly through commissions such as the Grand Hotel at Cape Martin, funded by a consortium led by the Black & White whisky magnate Mr. White. The site attracted high-profile guests, including Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, who stayed there multiple times between 1896 and 1897.
Aristocratic Commissions
Tersling specialized in Neoclassical Louis XVI designs, often incorporating Italian Renaissance influences. Mr. White commissioned him to build three significant villas at Cape Martin, including Villa Cyrnos in 1892 for Empress Eugénie de Montijo and Les Rochers in 1908 for his friend Mr. Blake. These works garnered further prestige, leading to additional projects for clients like Elisabeth of Bavaria and Victor Masséna. The Russian Empress Consort commissioned the Église russe de Menton following her observation of his villa designs. In 1905, he received recognition at the Concours de façades de la ville de Paris for his Hotel Hériot design.
Final Years and Legacy
Tersling designed the Menton casino, completed in 1909, which now serves as the Galerie d’Art du Palais de l’Europe. In 1910, he received the title of Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog. His career faced a terminal decline with the onset of World War I, as his wealthy clientele abandoned the region, leaving him with significant unpaid debts. He died in 1920 in Menton, having been married to Félicie Marie Francoise Sabatier since 1890.
Fast facts
- Born: 1857, Karlebo Parish
- Died: 1920, Menton
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Denmark
- Notable work: Église russe de Menton
- Spouse: Félicie Marie Francoise Sabatier
- Award: Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, 1910
Questions readers ask
What stylistic influences are evident in Tersling's work?
He primarily utilized the Neoclassical Louis XVI style while drawing inspiration from the Italian Renaissance.
Why did Tersling's career end abruptly?
The outbreak of World War I caused his wealthy clients to depart, leaving him with irrecoverable financial losses.
Achievements
- Notable work: Église russe de Menton
- Trained at Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
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