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72 EUROPE Wurzburg Residence

A masterpiece of German Rococo, the Residence was
commissioned by two prince-bishops, the brothers Johann
Philipp Franz and Friedrich Karl von Schon born, as an
Episcopal palace. Its construction between 172 0 and 17 44
was supervised by several architects, including Johann Lukas
von Hildebrandt and Maximilian von Welsch. However, the
Residence is mainly associated with the name of Balthasar
Neumann, the then young and unknown creator of its Swlpture in the
remarkable Baroque staircase (Baroque Style, see p.BO). Residen<e garden

-< Imperial Hall
TIEPOLO FRESCO DETAILS
Born in Venice, the ltali an painter Giovanni
Tiepolo was not without a sense
Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) is considered
of humor on the Treppenhaus
the last great master of Venetian art He fresco he included a portrait of
created numerous altarpieces and frescoes the architect Balthasar Neumann
for churches, castles, palaces, and villas in dressed as an artillery officer and
Italy and Germany. Almost all the interior with his dog by his side.
decoration of the Wurzburg Residence was
created by Tiepollo, including magnificent
ceiling frescoes in the Imperial Hall and
above the staircase, or T reppenhaus, Y Venetian Room
completed from 17 51 to 17 53. This room is named after a tapestry depi<ting
the Venetian Carnival. Further ornaments
in<lude de<Or ative panels with paintings by
ROCOCO STYLE Johann Tha lhofer, a pu pi I of Rudolph Byss.
The Residence is such a fine exam pie of ~>;;j~~·
German Rococo that it had a style named
after it Wurzburg Rococo. Typical of this
style are the vast ffompe-1' oei/ painted ceilings
and large, domed rooms. The term Rococo Y Treppenhaus
is derived from the French word rocai!le, The work of the
meaning "rock-work," a decorative trend for Venetian artist
Giovanni Battista
both interiors and fa<;ades featuring abstract,
Tiepolo, the largest
shell-like forms and curves. Trees, flowers, and fres<O in the world
Chinese scenes were among the most popular adorns the vault of
motifs. Stucco craftsmen and woodcarvers the stair<ase. It is an
a lleg ori<a I dep i<tion
became as revered as architects and painters of the four <On tinents.
for the quality and splendor of their work.

THE PATRONS
Many of those involved in the building of the
Wurzburg Residence were members of the
Schonborn family, a powerful 18th-century
dynasty of princes and electors on the rivers
Rhine, Maine, and Moselle. Among them A Garden Hall
was Johann Philipp von Schonborn, who This I ow, v au I ted hall, supported by
became prince-bishop ofWurzburg in 1719. slender marble <Oiumns, has Ro<o<o
stu«owork by Antonio Bossi dating
He was succeeded by his brother, Friedrich from 1749. There is also a painting on
Karl, one of the chief instigators of the the <eiling by Johan Zi<k, dating from
Wurzburg Residence project. The brothers 1750, depi<ting The Feast of the Gods
engaged renowned architects and painters and Diana Resting.
from all over Europe for what was to become Hofkir<he >-
a GesamtkunsiJNerk-a unique synthesis
of various branches of the arts into a total
KEY DATES
experience. The Residence was devastated
by a fire during World War II and underwent 172G-44 1732-92 1751-53 1765 1945 1981 2003
a painstaking 2 7 mi IIi on-dollar reconstruction Building of The Residence Decoratbn of the Ludovi:o Bossi The palace is The Residence The restoration
program between 19 50 and 1987. Today, 40 the Wurzburg garden is laid out Residence with oversees the damaged in a becomes a of Tiepolo's
rooms are open to the public, with a splendid Residence. and landscaped. ceiling frescoes decorative bombing raid UNESCO VIK>rld Treppenhaus
byTiepolo. stUCCOINOrk in during World Heritage S~e. frescoes begins.
array of 18th-century furniture, frescoes, the stairwelL war 11.
tapestries, and other treasures.