Friedrich von Gärtner, German architect, 1791-1847

Friedrich von Gärtner was one of the most important and prolific architects in Bavaria during the reign of King Ludwig I. After pursuing his education as an architect in Munich and Paris he spent four years in Italy to study antiquities. In 1820 von Gärtner was appointed professor for architecture at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. His first important commission was the new building of the Bavarian State Library in 1827. Many prestigious commissions like the Munich University, the Siegestor and the Royal Palace in Athens followed.