Neoclassism between Technology and Beauty: Pietro Nobile in Bohemia (1776–1854)

Neoclassism between Technology and Beauty: Pietro Nobile in Bohemia (1776–1854)

Taťána Petrasová

This publication presents for the first time the projects of the architect Pietro Nobile relating to the engagement of this important European neo-classicist in Bohemia. Based on the research conducted on the architect’s estate located in Trieste, Italy and Bellinzona, Switzerland, the author shows the technological, aesthetic, and sociological aspects of the architect’s work. A native of the Swiss canton of Ticino, he established himself at the Viennese court and with work carried out for Prince Klement Lothar Václav Metternich in Johannisberg, Kynžvart, and Vienna. As director of the School of Architecture of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts from 1818 to 1849 and a senior official of the Royal Building Authority in Vienna, he shaped the building design and architectural concept of the entire Austrian monarchy. The commissioners of his buildings for the Czech lands were Emperor Francis I, Chancellor Metternich, and the supreme burgrave Count Karel Chotek. The publication presents to domestic readers for the first time Nobile’s unknown experiment with metal architectural prefabricates launched in Kynžvart in 1832/1833. It also includes an inventory of Nobile’s work in Bohemia and an extensive English summary.

First Edition in Czech, English summary, 93 pages, colour illustrations, Prague 2019
ISBN: 978-80-88283-26-3 Ústav dějin umění AV ČR, v. v. i.

978-80-88027-36-2 Západočeská galerie v Plzni, p. o.