Shtackenschneider is an architect whose surname is familiar to many residents of Russia and neighboring countries. Thanks to this talented man, numerous palaces, buildings, as well as other cultural monuments of St. Petersburg and Peterhof were designed. We will talk about this wonderful person in this publication.
Early childhood architect
Andrei Ivanovich Shtakenschneider was born on February 22, 1802 in the territory of the powerful Russian Empire. The grandfather of the future architect was a native of one of the largest cities in the North of Germany - Braunschweig. He was a famous craftsman, capable of making various things from genuine leather of animals. And when the fame of his skill reached the Russian emperor Paul, he was invited to the capital. Later, the grandfather decided to stay in Russia. He married, and the father of Andrei Ivanovich was born.
Andrei himself was born within the walls of a family farm, where the entire family of Shtakenshneyderov previously lived. The little architect spent almost all his childhood on the mill where his father worked. When the future master turned 13 years old, he was sent to study at the Imperial Academy of Arts. However, due to the fact that he never showed any special talents, after graduation he was assigned to the Committee for Hydraulic Works and Structures. It is there that our architect Stackenschneider For some time he worked as an ordinary draftsman.
Variety of professional activities
After four years of work as a draftsman, our hero received an advantageous offer, thanks to which he got a new job. This time he was waiting for the position of architect-draftsman.
So he got to the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral, headed by a special commission for the construction. Here he proved himself as a talented architect. The Stackenschneider was later spotted by another well-known builder and architect Henri Louis Auguste Ricard. It was he who invited our hero to work on the Winter Palace.
Retirement and private practice
At some point, the architect Stackenschneider decided that it was time for him to engage in private practice. At the beginning of 1831 he left the commission and with great pleasure engaged in private construction. One of his first independent works was the design of the house of counts. The estate belonged to A.H. Benckendorff.
After our hero successfully coped with the task assigned to him, the count told the emperor about him. As a result, a talented architect was invited to one of the richest houses in St. Petersburg. Stenschneider almost immediately got the location of Nicholas I.
Increasingly, he began to receive individual orders from the emperor. And after some time he became almost the only architect who was entrusted with building not only huge estates, but also princely and royal palaces. And so it was until the death of the architect. For a long time he worked and designed the property of royal and privileged persons, received the honorary title of personal architect of His Majesty's Palace.
First awards and studies abroad
If you believe the information from the biography, the Stackenschneider first gained recognition in 1834. At this very time, he was actively working on the project of the “Small Palace of the Emperor,” for which he received the promising title of academician.
However, despite this, our hero felt that he was sorely lacking experience. At the same time, he managed to gain the support of the sovereign, and to go abroad to study at the expense of state allowance. So, he visited England, France and Italy. And having returned, from the representatives of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts he received the honorary title of professor of the second degree.
Work on the Mariinsky Palace
During his life, Andrei Ivanovich designed and built buildings of varying complexity. He managed to visit Moscow, Crimea, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, Taganrog, Peterhof and even Tsarskoye Selo. In all these places he worked quite successfully and created. Critics praised his work and argued about the features of his strict and at the same time democratic style. One of the most magnificent buildings that the architect has ever managed to build is the Mariinsky Palace.
This building, located on the most beautiful St. Isaac's Square, our hero designed in 1839. The construction of the palace was completed in 1844. About what buildings and palaces the Stackenschneider built, in addition to of this building, where the residence of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly is currently located, we will describe below.
Other outstanding creations of the great author
Thanks to his inquiring mind and wonderful imagination, our hero created the Beloselsky-Belozersky palace in St. Petersburg . Recall that this unique Neo-Baroque building was erected between 1846 and 1848.
Among the numerous works of the famous architect, one can find not only palaces, but also children's hospitals, chapels, summer residences and much more. For example, at the beginning of 1835, the private villa of the famous movie actor Genies was modeled and then built. Exactly one year later, our hero worked on the construction of a summer cottage for the Zvantsovs. And in 1834 he rebuilt the cottage of M.I. Mordvinov.
Famous buildings in Peterhof
The surroundings of Peterhof and the city itself became a great place for inspiration of our master. Here he was actively working on a plan of magnificent landscape parks: Lugovoi and Kolonistsky.
Then he thought about some elements of the Colonist Park separately. So, our author owns sketches of two pavilions at once: Olgin and Tsaritsin. Interestingly, the Holguin Pavilion was created by order of Emperor Nicholas I and in honor of his daughter. Her name was Olga. The building itself is similar to the Neapolitan tower, partially protruding its base from under the water.
Tsaritsin the pavilion was erected strictly at the request of the wife of the emperor Alexandra Fedorovna. With its external features, it looked more like an ancient Roman building than a classical building from the time of Nicholas I.
Majestic pavilions in various parks
Andrei Ivanovich was also planning two other pavilions in the picturesque Meadow Park. One of them is the Pink Pavilion, or Lakes. According to critics, it was he who was the central composition of the entire park. Its construction began in 1845, and ended in 1848. The second - Belvedere, was a two-story building built from fairly massive granite blocks.
At the beginning of 1727, our hero started the construction of a palace and park ensemble at the cottage of Emperor Peter II. Then, under the strict guidance of the architect, the Holy Trinity Church, a palace, a conservatory and a gardener’s house in the palace and park ensemble of the 19th century were built. Next was the palace in Znamenka, the Farm Palace and the Lion Cascade. We will tell about this amazing object further.
Unique cascade in the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble
During the design of the Lower Park, the famous architect applied the principle of creating cascading fountains. It was believed that, in this way, the palace, being built on the territory of the park, will be complemented by a spectacular corner of wildlife. At the same time, the well-known Italian architect Nicolo Michetti initially worked on the project. But his idea of closing the cascade ring within the Hermitage Alley was never realized.
Between 1854-1857, the cascade project was completely redone. This time, it was based on the project of A.I. Shtakenschneider. According to preliminary data, he assumed a significant increase in the initial size of the basin and the addition of 14 columns, each of which was 8 m high.
Between the columns also established 12 distinctive marble bowls. From the old decorative elements, the author decided to leave mascarons (comic images of mythical animals) and large figures of lions, from whose mouth jets of water came out. In the middle of the columned pantheon there was a curly statue of "Nymph Aganip". Everyone who saw this cascade described it as something incredibly beautiful, strict and at the same time fabulous.
A few words about the architect’s personal life
The architect’s extraordinary busyness did not prevent him from adjusting his personal life. Being at the peak of his dizzying career, the author of numerous works met a woman with whom he immediately fell in love. It was Maria Fedorovna Khalchinskaya.
Some time after the couple lived, 8 children were born. It is noteworthy that all of them, except the youngest Zinaida, who died in childhood, became famous personalities. For example, the daughter of the architect Elena, during her turbulent youth, began to write memoirs. Later, she even opened her own literary salon. The son of the architect Nikolai for a long time lived in St. Petersburg. He loved to draw, was fond of architectural art, and even built one of the houses in Kharkov.
Another son of Andrei Ivanovich, Alexander graduated from theater courses and became one of the favorite artists in the Imperial Theater. However, such a talented person as the Stackenschneider had other children who did not devote their lives to art.
For example, that was exactly his son Adrian. After graduating, he went to work in the office of the Governing Senate. A little later, he moved to Kiev, lived in Kharkov for several years, where he headed the court of justice. Son Vladimir also went into law with his head. Daughters Maria and Olga successfully married and went to live abroad.
Memory will live forever
Andrei Ivanovich has long been dead. He died in early August 1865. At the time of his death, he was 63 years old. His memory continues to live in the hearts and minds of our compatriots. And his magnificent creations will continue to delight tourists and local residents.