The world doesn't need architects to make buildings. The world needs architects to make architecture.
Expanding on the medieval mantra of let's make really ornate stuff, Early Modern architects created some truly impressive structures using pre-modern construction tools before settling down with simpler and more practical designs; here are some of the more note-worthy.
an Italian architect who is remembered as one of the fathers of Baroque architecture. His façades of Santa Susanna, St. Peter's Basilica and Sant'Andrea della Valle were of key importance in the evolution of the Italian Baroque.
a French architect credited with introducing classicism into Baroque architecture of France. The Encyclopædia Britannica cites him as the most accomplished of 17th-century French architects whose works "are renowned for their high degree of refinement, subtlety, and elegance".
an Italian architect who spent most of his life in Congress Poland. He was commissioned by general Ludwik Michal Pac to complete his palace in Dowspuda (then in Congress Poland, now in north-eastern Poland). He settled in Warsaw, where he worked for the Council of State and where he became professor at the Academy of Fine Arts.
a British architect who was notable as the first Chief Architect for the Metropolitan Board of Works, responsible for designing its headquarters. He was selected without any great controversy as the first Chief Architect of the Metropolitan Board of Works on 1 February 1856. Marrable was not a particularly well-regarded architect but no greater figure applie...
more
a British architect who was notable as the first Chief Architect for the Metropolitan Board of Works, responsible for designing its headquarters. He was selected without any great controversy as the first Chief Architect of the Metropolitan Board of Works on 1 February 1856. Marrable was not a particularly well-regarded architect but no greater figure applied for the job, partially because the salary being offered was relatively low, but also because the architect would largely be responsible for building roads and not distinctive buildings.
an Austrian architect and master-builder of Italian descent. Son of architect Franz Martinelli, brother of Johann Baptist Martinelli. Anton Erhard Martinelli supervised the construction of several important buildings in Vienna, such as the Karlskirche and the Palais Schwarzenberg or the remodelling of the Deutschordenskirche. He designed the plans of the Pal...
more
an Austrian architect and master-builder of Italian descent. Son of architect Franz Martinelli, brother of Johann Baptist Martinelli. Anton Erhard Martinelli supervised the construction of several important buildings in Vienna, such as the Karlskirche and the Palais Schwarzenberg or the remodelling of the Deutschordenskirche. He designed the plans of the Palais Thinnfeld in Graz and of Invalidenhaus (Invalidus-palota) in Budapest, now the city hall.
an Italian architect who was an evident figure in the shaping of Baroque style in the North Alps. His influence on the Baroque style was notable in his work Stadtpalais Liechtenstein (Town Palace), in Vienna, which glorifies an elaborate staircase, derived from Bernini's Chigi-Odescalchi Palace, in Rome.
an Austrian architect born in Italy. Father of Johann Baptist and Anton Erhard Martinelli. His most important work is the Palais Esterhazy on Wallnerstrasse in Vienna, which he first renovated in 1685 and thereafter completely rebuilt, finishing the work in 1695.
an Austrian architect and constructor of Italian descent. He was born in Vienna, the son of architect Franz Martinelli. In cooperation with his brother Anton Erhard Martinelli, he designed the plans of several baroque churches in the Habsburg empire, among which the church in Grossweikersdorf, the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Blaj and the church in Dunaalmás. ...
more
an Austrian architect and constructor of Italian descent. He was born in Vienna, the son of architect Franz Martinelli. In cooperation with his brother Anton Erhard Martinelli, he designed the plans of several baroque churches in the Habsburg empire, among which the church in Grossweikersdorf, the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Blaj and the church in Dunaalmás. He also designed several mansions among which the one in Dolná Krupá. He died in his native city of Vienna, aged 53.
a New Zealand architect born in Ipswich, England, the son of an architect/builder George Mason. Trained by his father he went to London where he seems to have worked for more
a New Zealand architect born in Ipswich, England, the son of an architect/builder George Mason. Trained by his father he went to London where he seems to have worked for Thomas Telford (1757–1834). Having worked at Lambeth Palace he had attracted the interest of the Bishop of London who now employed him independently designing churches and parsonages. Perhaps because of economic hardship, perhaps because of ambition in 1838 the Masons emigrated to New South Wales.
an Italian late-Baroque architect from Venice. He designed the Villa Lattes near Treviso in 1715, the church of Santo Spritito in Udine, the church of Santa Maria della Pace 1720-46 in Brescia. In Venice, he often worked closely with Tiepolo in planning interior decoration of palaces.
an American architect who designed many landmarks in the 18th and 19th centuries. McComb's father, John McComb Sr., was also an architect who designed several Manhattan churches which have since been torn down. McComb is interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
an American architect and craftsman, Chestnut Street District, a legacy to one of the earliest architects in the United States, Samuel McIntire is a primary example of Federal style architecture. He was a skilled artisan, especially in furniture, and his skill extended to sculpting.
aka: Michelangelo Buonarroti, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
born
active
died
1475, Mar 6
1490-1564
1564, Feb 18
an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer of the High Renaissance who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art. Author of The Creation of Adam (c. 1511)
a Russian architect whose designs marked a transition of Russian architecture from early Muscovite Baroque to mature Rastrelliesque style. He worked primarily in Moscow, devising the first general plan of that city between 1734 and 1739. His best-known original building could be the main church of Svensky Monastery in Bryansk, although its attribution is dis...
more
a Russian architect whose designs marked a transition of Russian architecture from early Muscovite Baroque to mature Rastrelliesque style. He worked primarily in Moscow, devising the first general plan of that city between 1734 and 1739. His best-known original building could be the main church of Svensky Monastery in Bryansk, although its attribution is disputed. He was also responsible for the belfry of St. Clement's Church in Moscow.
a French architect and painter. He was the son of painter Nicolas Mignard.Pierre II Mignard was born and died in Avignon. In 1671, he became one of the first eight members of the Académie royale d'architecture created by Louis XIV.
known for designing the Washington Monument, is sometimes called the first native born American to be professionally trained as an architect. Mills studied in Charleston, South Carolina, as a student of Irish architect James Hoban—who later designed the White House, which became the official home of US presidents. Both Hoban and Mills were Freemasons.
a French Neoclassical architect who worked primarily in Russia. His two best known works are the Saint Isaac's Cathedral and the Alexander Column in St. Petersburg.
a Dutch painter, mainly of portraits. Moreelse was a well known portrait painter who received commissions from right across the Dutch Republic. His earliest work dates to 1606. Other than portraits, he also painted a few history paintings in the Mannerist style and in the 1620s produced pastoral scenes of herders and shepherds. Moreelse was also active as an...
more
a Dutch painter, mainly of portraits. Moreelse was a well known portrait painter who received commissions from right across the Dutch Republic. His earliest work dates to 1606. Other than portraits, he also painted a few history paintings in the Mannerist style and in the 1620s produced pastoral scenes of herders and shepherds. Moreelse was also active as an architect, building Utrecht's Catharijnepoort (1626, demolished c.1850) and possibly also the Vleeshuis (still extant) on Voorstraat from 1637.
an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of that country's most prominent 19th-century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial Architect of the developing province of Canterbury. Heavily influenced by the Anglo-Catholic phil...
more
an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of that country's most prominent 19th-century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial Architect of the developing province of Canterbury. Heavily influenced by the Anglo-Catholic philosophy behind early Victorian architecture, he is credited with importing the Gothic revival style to New Zealand. His Gothic designs constructed in both wood and stone in the province are considered unique to New Zealand.
an Austrian architect and masterbuilder of the Baroque period. Munggenast was born in Schnann in Tyrol, the nephew of Jakob Prandtauer, who advanced his career and whose influence marked his style for the whole of his life. Together with Matthias Steinl he built the towers at Zwettl Abbey and Dürnstein Abbey. His main works are the Baroque refurbishments of...
more
an Austrian architect and masterbuilder of the Baroque period. Munggenast was born in Schnann in Tyrol, the nephew of Jakob Prandtauer, who advanced his career and whose influence marked his style for the whole of his life. Together with Matthias Steinl he built the towers at Zwettl Abbey and Dürnstein Abbey. His main works are the Baroque refurbishments of Altenburg Abbey and Geras Abbey in the 1730s.
a Scottish architect and civil engineer, particularly remembered for his design for Blackfriars Bridge in London. Born and raised in Edinburgh, he travelled to Europe as a young man, studying architecture in Rome under Piranesi. In 1758 he became the first Briton to win the triennial architecture competition at the Accademia di San Luca, which made his name ...
more
a Scottish architect and civil engineer, particularly remembered for his design for Blackfriars Bridge in London. Born and raised in Edinburgh, he travelled to Europe as a young man, studying architecture in Rome under Piranesi. In 1758 he became the first Briton to win the triennial architecture competition at the Accademia di San Luca, which made his name known in London, and won him the rivalry of fellow Scot Robert Adam.
