Maximilian von Welsch

Johann Maximilian von Welsch (1671 – 15 October 1745) was a German architect, construction director and fortress master builder.

Life

Maximilian von Welsch is regarded as a prominent representative of

Von Welsch was born in Kronach, belonging to the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg at that time. He studied construction during his early education journeys mainly to European capitals such as Vienna, Rome and Paris. There he studied the buildings of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Francesco Borromini and François Mansart.

He was made an imperial knight with the title Edler von Welsch for his services to architecture by Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor in 1714.^[1]

Opus

Since 1695 he was in

At least since the 1720s Maximilian von Welsch had been displaced more and more by the ambitious Balthasar Neumann, the most renowned baroque architect of Germany at that time. Already planned projects had been taken over by Neumann, but these were executed only with strong modifications or totally redesigned, like the Rococo pilgrimage church Vierzehnheiligen. Amorbach Abbey (commenced 1742) can be traced back to von Welschs design. He could not experience to see the completion of the building. He died in Mainz.

• Fortresses:
  • Fortress Mainz Mainz
  • Philippsburg
  • Petersberg Citadel (1665)
  • Kehl
• Palaces
  • Schloss Biebrich
  • Summer palace Favorite (Mainz) (destroyed 1793)
  • Schloss Bruchsal
    (drafts and initial execution)
  • Würzburg Residence (partially esthetical execution)
  • Schloss Weißenstein in Pommersfelden (Marstall)
  • Fulda Orangerie
• Kurmainzische Statthalterei Erfurt
• Amorbach Abbey
• New Armoury Mainz
• High Altars in the Mainz’ Kartause, St. Quintin's Church, Mainz and in the collegial church of Ellwangen

External links

• Maximilian von Welsch in the German National Library catalogue
• Maximilian von Welsch at archINFORM
• Festung Mainz

References