Gottfried Semper was a German architect, art critic, and professor of architecture who designed and built the Semper Opera House in Dresden between 1838 and 1841.
18 Facts About Gottfried Semper
2.
Gottfried Semper fled first to Zurich and later to London.
3.
Gottfried Semper returned to Germany after the 1862 amnesty granted to the revolutionaries.
4.
Gottfried Semper was born into a well-to-do industrialist family in Altona.
5.
Gottfried Semper subsequently studied architecture in 1825 at the University of Munich under Friedrich von Gartner.
6.
In 1826, Gottfried Semper travelled to Paris in order to work for the architect Franz Christian Gau, and he was present when the July Revolution of 1830 broke out.
7.
On September 30,1834, Gottfried Semper obtained a post as Professor of Architecture at the Koniglichen Akademie der bildenden Kunste in Dresden thanks largely to the efforts and support of his former teacher Franz Christian Gau and swore an oath of allegiance to the King of Saxony, Anthony Clement.
8.
Gottfried Semper designed the Dresden Hoftheater in 1841, which burned down in 1869.
9.
Gottfried Semper was a member of the Civic Guard and helped to erect barricades in the streets.
10.
Gottfried Semper was destined never to return to the city that would, ironically, become most associated with his architectural legacy.
11.
Gottfried Semper produced the plans but left the actual construction to his son, Manfred.
12.
Gottfried Semper published Die vier Elemente der Baukunst in 1851 and Wissenschaft, Industrie und Kunst in 1852.
13.
The building, which despite frequent remodeling continues to evoke Gottfried Semper's concept, was initially required to accommodate not only the new school, but the existing University of Zurich, as well.
14.
In 1855, Gottfried Semper became a professor of architecture at the new school and the success of many of his students who attained success and renown served to ensure his legacy.
15.
Gottfried Semper provided Bavaria's King Ludwig II with a conceptual design for a theatre dedicated to the work of Richard Wagner to be built in Munich.
16.
Gottfried Semper was assigned to submit a proposal for locating new buildings in conjunction with redevelopment of the Ring Road.
17.
In 1871, Gottfried Semper moved to Vienna to undertake the projects.
18.
Gottfried Semper died two years later while on a visit to Italy and is buried in the Protestant Cemetery, Rome.