The Votive Church in Vienna, commissioned following an 1855 competition, secured the professional standing of Heinrich von Ferstel by besting 74 other entries. Constructed between 1856 and 1879, this project established the architect as a key figure in the transformation of the Austrian capital during the late 19th century.
Early Training and Influences
Born in Vienna in 1828 to Ignaz Ferstel, a bank clerk who later directed the Austrian national bank in Prague, Heinrich von Ferstel pursued architecture after exploring various artistic disciplines. He enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in 1847, studying under August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll. Following his studies, which concluded in 1850, he gained practical experience in the atelier of his uncle, Friedrich August von Stache, contributing to the votive altar for the chapel of St. Barbara in St. Stephen's Cathedral.
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Early journeys throughout Belgium, Germany, Holland, and England nurtured his inclination toward Romanticism. However, a stay in Italy beginning in 1854 fundamentally altered his aesthetic, leading him to embrace Renaissance architecture and the works of Bramante. He incorporated polychromy through terracotta and graffito techniques to enhance the vitality of his designs. This approach is evident in the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, which he completed in 1871, featuring an expansive arcaded court.
Contributions to the Viennese Landscape
Ferstel played an instrumental role in the expansion of Vienna and the development of the Ringstrasse. His career also extended to private commissions, including Villa Wartholz and various dwellings in Brünn and Vienna. In 1866, he accepted a professorship at the TU Wien, eventually serving as chief government inspector of public works.
Legacy and Academic Recognition
His efforts earned him several honors, including the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art in 1880 and the Royal Gold Medal in 1882. He became an honorary citizen of Vienna in 1879 and was raised to the rank of Freiherr the same year. He died in 1883 and is buried at Grinzing Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1828, Vienna, Austria
- Died: 1883, Grinzing
- Education: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Notable Works: Votive Church, Palais Ferstel, Villa Wartholz
- Academic Role: Professor at TU Wien
- Key Awards: Royal Gold Medal (1882), Bavarian Maximilian Order (1880)
- Membership: Académie des beaux-arts
- Final Resting Place: Grinzing Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Which major institutional buildings did Heinrich von Ferstel design?
His notable institutional works include the Votive Church in Vienna, the University of Vienna, the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, and the head office of the Austrian National Bank, known as Palais Ferstel.
What stylistic influences defined his architectural career?
While initially inclined toward Romanticism, his 1854 travels in Italy turned his focus toward the Renaissance style, particularly the works of Bramante, which he often executed using polychromy and graffito decoration.
Achievements
- Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art
- honorary citizen of Vienna
- Trained at Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
