Matthaus Daniel Poppelmann

Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann was born on May 3, 1662 in Herford, a town in Westphalia, Germany. He was the son of a shopkeeper and a member of the Lutheran church. He showed an early interest in architecture and drawing, and in 1680 he moved to Dresden to work as an unpaid assistant to the court architect Johann Georg Starcke. He soon gained the favor of the Elector of Saxony, John George III, who appointed him as a court architect in 1685. He also became a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in Dresden. Pöppelmann's most famous work is the Zwinger Palace, a complex of pavilions, galleries, gardens, and fountains that is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Germany. He designed the Zwinger in collaboration with the sculptor Balthasar Permoser and the landscape gardener Johann Christoph Knöffel. The construction began in 1709 and lasted until 1728, although Pöppelmann continued to make changes and additions until his death. The Zwinger was intended as a venue for court festivities and ceremonies, as well as a showcase for the art collections of Augustus II the Strong, the King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. The Zwinger is famous for its rich ornamentation, elegant proportions, and playful use of water features. Pöppelmann was also involved in many other projects in Dresden and beyond. He rebuilt and renovated several buildings in Dresden Castle, such as the Taschenbergpalais, the Stallhof, and the Hausmannsturm. He also designed the Vineyard Church in Pillnitz, the Japanese Palace in Dresden, and the Moritzburg Castle near Dresden. He was also commissioned by Augustus II to design some urban plans for Warsaw, Poland, such as the Saxon Axis and the Saxon Garden. However, these plans were only partially realized due to political and financial difficulties. Pöppelmann married Anna Sophia Kretzschmar in 1691 and had at least nine children with her. He was a respected and influential figure in Dresden society and enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. He died on January 17, 1736 in Dresden and was buried in the Matthäuskirche. He was survived by his wife and some of his children. His grandson Friedrich August Krubsacius became a prominent architect in Dresden as well. Pöppelmann is regarded as one of the greatest architects of the German Baroque period. His works have influenced many other architects and artists, such as Gottfried Semper, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Gehry. His buildings have also become symbols of Dresden's cultural heritage and have attracted millions of visitors from around the world.