The small gold medal from 1767 and the large gold medal awarded in 1768 marked the early academic success of Peter Meyn. These honors secured the financial foundation for his professional journey, allowing him to refine his skills through extensive travel and observation across Paris and Rome before returning to the Kingdom of Denmark to practice as an architect and university teacher.
Early Career and Training
Born in Copenhagen in 1749 to master joiner Anton Christian Meyn and Helena Klefts, Peter Meyn began his formal education at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. His mastery of classical architecture grew through practical experience as he assisted Caspar Frederik Harsdorff on the marble baths at Frederiksberg Palace in 1770 and contributed to the construction of Frederick V's Chapel at Roskilde Cathedral. After completing his European travels in 1782, he achieved membership in the Royal Academy by 1783.
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Meyn held several prominent roles within the Danish building sector, reflecting his status as a royal official. Appointed as a building inspector in 1783, he balanced administrative duties with academic responsibilities, serving as second professor at the Royal Academy from 1783 and ascending to first professor in 1799. His public service included a tenure as acting master builder for the Navy between 1785 and 1788, followed by his appointment as master builder for both the City of Copenhagen and the Royal establishment in 1789.
Architectural Output
His structural contributions altered the landscape of Copenhagen during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Notable projects include the Surgical Academy on Bredgade 62, completed between 1785 and 1787, and the 1795 warehouse constructed for the Admiralty at Bremerholm. Additionally, he worked on the walls for Assistens Cemetery and designed the Druknehuset at Langebro in 1806.
Unrealized Plans
Despite a prolific career, many of Meyn's designs remained conceptual. Following the devastating Copenhagen Fire of 1795, he collaborated with J.H. Rawert on a reconstruction plan for the city. His unrealized portfolio included a proposal for a public library submitted in 1783, designs for a monument to Peder Tordenskjold, and plans for the rebuilding of Christiansborg Palace in 1800. He also drafted designs for a new synagogue between 1804 and 1805 and explored the reconstruction of St. Nicolas' Church.
Fast facts
- Born: 1749, Copenhagen
- Died: 1808, Copenhagen
- Primary Occupation: Architect and university teacher
- Academic Honors: Small and large gold medals from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
- Marital Status: Twice married, to Mette Marie Jensen and Charlotte Amalie Avemann
- Final Resting Place: Assistens Cemetery
- Primary Employer: Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
- Notable Structure: Surgical Academy, Bredgade 62
Questions readers ask
Where is Peter Meyn buried?
He is buried in the Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen.
Which major public building did Meyn design in Copenhagen?
He designed the Surgical Academy located at Bredgade 62.
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