Laurent-Benoît Dewez
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Laurent-Benoît Dewez (born April 14, 1731 in Petit-Rechain ; † November 1, 1812 in Groot-Bijgaarden ) is considered the most important architect of the 18th century in the Austrian Netherlands (today's Belgium ). Dewez introduced an Italian and English-influenced classical architectural style in the region. Numerous castles , abbeys and churches were built according to his plans; however, many of them were damaged or destroyed in the course of the French Revolution .
Life
Dewez was born near Verviers in 1731, the eighth child of a tax collector . His artistic talent was noticed early on by the Abbot of Saint-Hubert . He sent Dewez on a scholarship to study in Italy . Here Dewez worked at Lodewijk van Wittel - called Vanvitelli - and also learned other important architects and theorists of classicism such as B. Robert Adam , Clérisseau , Piranesi and Winckelmann know.
On a joint study trip with Robert Adam to Dalmatia , he studied the impressive ruins of Diocletian's Palace in Spalato . In 1758 he deepened his knowledge in the famous workshop of the brothers John and Robert Adam in London . In 1759 he was called back to the Austrian Netherlands to take over the rebuilding of Orval Abbey . Here Dewez first introduced classicism in what is now Belgium.
In 1760 he settled in Brussels and in 1767 became court architect for the general governor of the Netherlands, Charles of Lorraine . After Dewez was accused by competitors of having made mistakes in the construction of the Vilvoorde prison , he fell out of favor and lost his position as court architect.
In 1793 he fled to Prague from the French revolutionary troops . There Dewez built several stately townhouses. In 1804 he returned to Belgium, but could no longer build on his earlier economic successes. Dewez died impoverished in Groot-Bijgaarden in 1812 .
His tombstone is now on the outer wall of the church in Groot-Bijgaarden and bears a short description of his life and work in Latin .
plant
The castle in Seneffe , built between 1763 and 1768, is considered Dewez's masterpiece. A smaller version is La Motte Castle in Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle .
Other works are:
- Affligem Abbey (destroyed)
- Orval Abbey
- Dielegem Abbey in Jette (partially destroyed)
- Abbey Vorst
- Vlierbeek Abbey
- Hélécine Abbey (partially destroyed)
- Gembloux Abbey
- Abbot's Palace of Tournai Abbey , today town hall .
- Bonne-Espérance Abbey Church .
- Harelbeke Church
- Andenne Church
- Wasseiges Castle (destroyed)
- Mariemont Castle (destroyed)
- Vilvoorde State Prison
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ OM Hic jacent Dominus Laurentius Benedictus Dewez en Rechains Ducatus Limburg Celsi quondam ducis Caroli Lotharingi Belgii Austr. Gubernatoris Architectus. Obiit 1a Novembris 1812 aet. 81. Incomparabilis hic vir Romae ac Neapoli sub Van Vitelli ad summum artis sue pertigit apicem, quo non obstante per multum temporis in frequentandis urbis academiis, fuit assiduus ibique ac in terris vicinis antiquitatum perlustravit monumenta dein ardenti architecturae perfectionis per aestuans zeloans. 20 , Syriam, Aegyptum, Suesiam, Daniam, Angliam, variasque hujus orbis plagas peragravit. Hocce tempore à Portugaliae rege primus in regno suo nominatus est architectus tamdem è terra evocatus alienâ reversus est in patriam in qua post mortem adhuc vivit, nec vivere desinet in illustribus quibus illam ditavit ac decoravit architecturae monumentis. Et illius conjux Domina Maria Francisca Mertens obiit anno .... die ... aet ... nec non eorum filii et posteri. RIP
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Dewez, Laurent-Benoît |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Belgian architect |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 14, 1731 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Petit-Rechain |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 1, 1812 |
| Place of death | Groot-Bijgaarden |