[Born at Hildesheim, in Hanover, 1784. Still living.]
The architect, in Munich, of “The Glyptothek,” and the constructor of
many works, Royal and otherwise, in the same city. Also the designer of
the plans for the “Walhalla.” Author of some literary productions
bearing upon his art. In 1844, accompanied Ludwig I. to Greece to
examine the plans already made for the improvement of Athens, and to
suggest original designs. Klenze possesses great decorative skill, and a
comprehensive knowledge of the history of architecture; but the true
genius and high faculty of composition appears on few of his
productions. He does not take what is universal in the various styles
with which his mind is familiar, in order to form a style expressive of
his own spirit, and suitable to the country and climate in which it is
his business to exhibit it, but he borrows his structures from Greece
and Italy, and deposits them in Munich, loading the city with specimens
of foreign styles of architecture. His effects are undoubtedly
picturesque, and the decorations of his buildings always beautiful, but
fault is found with the internal arrangements of his edifices, with the
lowness of the apartments, and with the bases of his façades, which are
occasionally mean and even vulgar.
[By J. Halbig. Plaster. 1846. Executed for King Ludwig.]