Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt

Background

Hildebrandt was born in Genoa in 1668 to an Italian mother and a German father. He studied civil and military engineering in Rome under an unknown instructor, as well as architecture under Carlo Fontana. In 1696 he established himself in Vienna, working for noble families such as the Dauns, Harrachs, Schönborns, and Starhembergs, and for Prince Eugene himself. He became court engineer in 1701, and was appointed Oberhofbaudirektor in 1723.

At the Hofburg, Hildebrandt faced rivalry from the two Fischer von Erlachs and worked mainly for aristocrats. His works, more personal and decorative than those of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, united Italian and French elements and shaped the baroque style in south Germany and Austria. He was involved in many large projects developed by other architects, including Würzburg Residence, Göttweig Abbey, and Pommersfelden. From 1713 to 1719 he built Palais Kinsky for the Kinsky family, and from 1723 he served as inspector-general of imperial buildings.

His two best-known works, the Upper Belvedere (1721–1722) and Lower Belvedere (1714–1716), were commissioned by Prince Eugene. He also built numerous city palaces in Vienna, religious buildings such as St. Peter's Church and the Piarist Church of Maria Treu, and contributed the staircase and some interior details to Schloss Weißenstein in Bavaria, which was primarily designed by Johann Dientzenhofer. Hildebrandt died in Vienna on 16 November 1745.