Vilhelm Theodor Walther

Vilhelm Theodor Walther was a Danish architect who created many popular high-end consumer products, developing a functional minimalism style that formed a prominent part of the Danish modern movement. He studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen under Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, winning the Grand Silver Medal in 1845 and, for his parliamentary building and courthouse, the Grand Gold Medal in 1857. He was also awarded the Neuhausen Prize on two occasions (1849 and 1857). In parallel with his studies, Walther supervised the construction of buildings in Norway, Hamburg and Altona, as well as designing various manor houses and the headquarters of the Silkeborg Paper Mill. Following short journeys to Germany and Holland, he made an extended trip to Germany, France and Italy on the Academy's major scholarship (1859–1861). On his return, he was appointed Royal Building Inspector for Jutland (1862), residing in Aarhus. There he accomplished a significant amount of work, restoring the interiors of the Church of Our Lady (1866) and the cathedral (1871). He also designed the Aarhus Art Museum (1877) and a number of private residences. ¹ St Paul's Church in Aarhus (1887) is partly built to his designs. He also designed churches in Aaby, Holme and Skjørring, and restored St Martin's Church, Næstved, 1857–1859, the exterior of St Martin's Church, Randers, Thorsager Church, and the church in Grenaa. Other works included customs houses in Randers, Nykøbing Mors, Thisted, Hals and Als Odde, postal buildings in Brønderslev and Nykøbing, and a grammar school in Aalborg. ² Walther was not particularly original but he was a competent, tasteful architect whose works displayed respect and seriousness. He was a titular professor in 1868, was awarded the Dannebrog in 1878, the Dannebrog Cross of Honor in 1885, and was elevated to councillor ( etatsråd) in 1892. ²