Johann Georg Neßfell

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Johann Georg Neßfell ; Nespel (born April 6, 1694 in Alsfeld , † August 14, 1762 in Würzburg ) was a German cabinetmaker and mechanic.

Apprenticeship and first employment

Memorial plaque on the house where he was born in Alsfeld, Untergasse 32

The son of a Black Gerber , Chandler and carpenter went his grandfather in the workshop as a carpenter in the teaching . In 1713 he was acquitted as a journeyman , but was not able to achieve the status of master (probably for financial reasons) . So he could only apply to princely and ecclesiastical clients who entrusted craftsmen with jobs outside of the guild.

In 1717 he entered the service of the Counts of Schönborn , for whom he initially carried out numerous orders at Schloss Wiesentheid , where he was also an assistant to Balthasar Neumann . He also equipped several monastery libraries, for example in Münsterschwarzach , Banz Monastery and St. Stephan in Würzburg . However, most of these works are no longer preserved. He also hired himself as a surveyor and draftsman for Rudolf Franz Erwein Graf von Schönborn .

Construction of planetary machines

Planetary machine (1759)

While working in Banz, Neßfell began self-taught with astronomical studies and the construction of planetary machines out of wood. In 1745, on the occasion of the coronation of Emperor Franz I in Frankfurt am Main , he showed such a wooden celestial mechanical model that illustrated the planetary movements according to the Copernican system and thus aroused the emperor's interest.

Neßfell then received the order from Empress Maria Theresia to build such a machine in brass , with the help of Johann Ludwig Fricker , who had been employed by him as an assistant, to calculate the necessary astronomical data .

In 1753 Neßfell and Fricker traveled to the court in Vienna to deliver the machine. There it is now in the natural history museum . Neßfell received the title of imperial court mechanic and an annual salary for his performance . During this time, an anonymously published paper with a description of the machine appeared. Neßfell was probably involved in the drafting of the text that is now in the Austrian National Library .

On behalf of Prince-Bishop Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim , Neßfell manufactured another planetary machine between 1759 and 1760, which was later transferred to the Physical Cabinet of the University of Würzburg and from there it was bought by the Bavarian National Museum in 1877 , where it is still located today. Johann Peter Wagner expanded this machine with metal figurines with a scenic representation of the Ptolemaic system . A script printed in Würzburg in 1750 contains a detailed description of the machine, as does the manuscript of the Würzburg Father Fridericus a Santo Christophero from 1772. Both writings are now in the Bavarian State Library in Munich .

Work

Marquetry in the choir stalls of the Banz Collegiate Church (1750)
  • Bartholomäuskirche in Volkach : The high altar was created by Johann Georg Neßtfell.
  • St. Mauritius in Wiesentheid: The ornate tabernacle on the high altar with doors showing the Revelation of John as well as other high-quality inlays, as well as side altars, oratorios, confessionals, organ cases and pulpit are works by Neßfell. The Kalvarienberggruppe between the church and the rectory was donated by Neßfell and carried out by Lukas van der Auvera in 1766.
  • Kreuzkapelle in Wiesentheid: Neßfell created the crucifix in the rotunda here.
  • Most Holy Trinity Church in Gaibach : The pulpit body presumably comes from Johann Georg Neßfell.
  • Würzburg observatory: construction of two wall quadrants.
  • Banz Monastery: The choir stalls with rich inlaid fields.
  • Neumann basilica Münsterschwarzach: pulpit

Fonts

  • Brief, but thorough description of the Accuraten Copernican planetary machine invented and manufactured by Johann Georg Nesstfell: Along with an explanation of the various uses and benefits of the same in astronomy, geography and chronology . Published by Printed by GA Gertner, 1761, 67 pages

literature

  • Weiskern, Friedrich Wilhelm : Topography of Lower Austria, in which all cities, markets, villages, monasteries, castles, lordships, country estates, noble estates, Freyhöfe, well-known places etc. are shown, which are actually found in this archduchy or were formerly there . 2 Vol. 418 S / 327 S. Vienna: J. Kurzböcken. 1768/1770 (in it a longer paragraph on Neßfell and his planetary machine).
  • Hess, Wilhelm: Johann Georg Nesstfell. A contribution to the history of handicrafts and physical technology of the XVIII. Century in the former monasteries of Würzburg and Bamberg. 106 S. Strasbourg, Heitz. 1908.
  • Zinner, Ernst: German and Dutch astronomical instruments of the 11th - 18th centuries. 80 p. 2nd edition Munich, Beck 2nd 1967.
  • Henck, Herbert: Planetary machines. An inventory of the writings on four Franconian planetary machines of the 18th century from the circle around Johann Georg Neßtfell with special consideration of the contributions by Johann Ludwig Fricker and Johann Zick With a bibliography on Johann Georg Neßtfell. In: Leaves for Württemberg Church History, 79: 62-139. Stuttgart 1980.
  • Schneider, Erich: The baroque Benedictine abbey church Münsterschwarzach. Publications of the Society for Franconian History Series 8.267 S. Neustadt / Aisch: Degener. ISBN 3-7686-9077-6 . Zugl. Dissertation University of Würzburg 1983.
  • Seelig, Lorenz (red.): The Würzburg planetary machine Johann Georg Neßtfells 1755–1761, a masterpiece of scientific clock making. Studio exhibition in the Bavarian National Museum in Munich, October 19, 1988 to January 8, 1989. 16 p. Ill. Passau 1988.
  • Weis, Michael: Johann Georg Nesstfell: Court carpenter of Count Rudolf Franz Erwein von Schönborn; the carpentry equipment of Wiesentheider Castle in the first half of the 18th century. Mainfränkische Studien 55: 191 S. Schweinfurt: Historischer Verein 1994. Zugl .: Dissertation University of Heidelberg 1992
  • Fuchs, Anja: Johann Georg Neßtfell's monk choir stalls in the former Benedictine monastery church in Banz. Diploma thesis at the Technical University of Munich 2004.
  • Sigrid Sangl:  Neßfell, Johann Georg. In: New German Biography (NDB). Volume 19, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1999, ISBN 3-428-00200-8 , p. 77 f. ( Digitized version ).

Web links

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personal data
SURNAME Neßfell, Johann Georg
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German cabinet maker and mechanic
DATE OF BIRTH April 6, 1694
PLACE OF BIRTH Alsfeld
DATE OF DEATH August 14, 1762
Place of death Wurzburg