Karl Friedrich Schinkel

As an architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781–1841) is considered one of finest in German history, having established a "new," patriotic German style based on the Gothic style; as a painter, draftsman, and designer of furniture, interior fittings, and stage sets, he created some of the best examples of 19th century art. His work was so admired by King Frederick William III that Schinkel acted as state architect of Prussia for nearly his entire career, designing many public buildings, palaces, and royal country estates, including the Royal Theater and Altes Museum in Berlin. So highly was Schinkel regarded that his contemporaries deemed him a genius and biographies were written about him during his lifetime.

About the Series:
Every book in TASCHEN's Basic Architecture Series features:

• approximately 120 images, including photographs, sketches, drawings, and floor plans
• introductory essays exploring the architect's life and work, touching on family and background as well as collaborations with other architects
• the most important works presented in chronological order, with descriptions of client and/or architect wishes as well as construction problems and resolutions
• an appendix including a list of complete or selected works, biography, bibliography, and a map indicating the locations of the architect's most famous buildings