Miguel Ventura Terra

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Miguel Ventura Terra in his studio

Miguel Ventura Terra (born July 14, 1866 in Seixas do Minho , Caminha district, Viana do Castelo district ; † April 30, 1919 in São Mamede , Lisbon district, Lisbon ) was a Portuguese architect and local politician of the late 19th century and the Belle Epoque , which he strongly shaped architecturally for Portugal, especially in Lisbon. He is considered to be one of the most important architects in the cultural history of Portugal.

Life

Miguel Ventura Terra comes from the municipality of Seixas do Minho in northern Portugal. From 1881 to 1886 he attended courses in architecture in Porto at the Academica Portuense de Belas Artes. In 1886 he moved to Paris , made possible by a state grant. He was a follower of Victor Laloux , whom he also met at least once in his studio in Paris. There he also studied architecture at the École Nationale et Speciale des Beaux-Arts and obtained his diploma as an architect. He returned to Portugal in 1896.

The architect was also active as a politician. From 1903 to 1913 he was a city councilor in Lisbon, and in 1908 he was even deputy mayor of the capital for a republican party. Ventura Terra was a member of the Portuguese Freemasons .

A life for architecture followed, which was mainly shaped by important buildings in Lisbon, Viana do Castelo and Esposende . For a long time, from 1903, he was the first president of the Sociedade dos Arquitectos Portugueses, the Portuguese association of architects.

Ventura Terra died in Lisbon on April 30, 1919 at the age of 52. He was married to the Swiss Louise Audige, (died 1912).

In Seixas and Caminha streets are named after him. The "Associaçao Ventura Terra" has been located in Barcelos since 2012 and takes care of the memory and maintenance of the architect's work. In his hometown, the house where he was born is preserved as a museum as Casa Ventura Terra.

He received the Premio Valmor, the most important architectural award in Portugal, four times.

Style and embossing

The style of Ventura Terra was based on the buildings of the French Belle Epoque and Portuguese eclecticism . His role model was the architect Victor Laloux, from whom he learned a lot. His work is also described as openly cosmopolitan and anti-monumental, simple and functional, and often asymmetrical.

Most important buildings

Some of the buildings that he built inside and outside Lisbon were among his most important works. For example the house of the Banco Totta & Açores in Lisbon, the building of the Banco de Portugal in Porto and the Basilica of Santa Lucia in Viana do Castelo. He played a key role in the redesign of the Portuguese Parliament, which has its seat in the Palacio São Bento .

Santa Lucia Basilica in Viana do Castelo

The largest and most monumental work by Miguel Ventura Terra with international fame is the Basilica Santa Lucia on the Santa Lucia hill at the gates of Viana do Castelos. It was modeled on the Sacré-Coeur Basilica and is built in the neo-Byzantine style. It has 142 steps and offers a good view of the city of Viana do Castelo and the surrounding area. Construction began in 1903 and did not end until 1940; the basilica impresses above all with its monumental size for Portugal. It is a pilgrimage church.

meaning

For Portugal, Ventura Terra is particularly important towards the end of the 19th century, the Belle Epoque and the early 20th century. Lisbon's 19th century architecture was heavily influenced by him. His buildings shaped generations of Portuguese architects after him. They also shaped the cityscape of the capital Lisbon and are still some of the gems for architecture enthusiasts in Lisbon. He is also considered to be one of the most important and formative architects in Portugal in the 20th century and of all times.

Buildings and structures (selection)

Totta & Açores banking house
Liceu Camoes
  • Portuguese pavilions at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.
  • First kindergarten in Lisbon in 1901 (Jardim de Infância).
  • Casa Ventura Terra (private house and studio in Lisbon), 1903. Awarded the Premio Valmor, located on Rua de Alexandre Herculano ; equipped with azulejos inside, 4 floors.
  • Basilica de Santa Lucia in Viana do Castelo (1903–1943, based on plans by Terra).
  • Lisbon Synagogue (Share Tikva), 1904.
  • Building of the Totta & Açores banking house, 1905, Lisbon.
  • Casa de Visconde de Valmar in Valmar, 1906. (House of the Count of Valmar).
  • Camões- Liceum (grammar school), 1907, Lisbon.
  • Esposende Museum, 1908–1911.
  • Pedro Nunes Liceum, 1909, Lisbon.
  • Teatro Politeama , 1912–1913, Lisbon.

Awards (selection)

  • Ordem do Santiago de Espada
  • Premio Valmor de Arquitectura, 1903.
  • Premio Valmor de Arquitectura, 1906.
  • Premio Valmor de Arquitectura, 1909.
  • Premio Valmor de Arquitectura, 1911.

swell

personal data
SURNAME Ventura Terra, Miguel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Portuguese architect and politician
DATE OF BIRTH July 14, 1866
PLACE OF BIRTH Seixas do Minho , Caminha parish , Viana do Castelo district
DATE OF DEATH April 30, 1919
Place of death São Mamede , Lisbon Municipality, Lisbon