!!!Wagner, Otto

Wagner, Otto, b. Penzing, Vienna, July 13, 1841, d. Vienna, 
April 11, 1918, architect and art theorist. Studied in Berlin and 
Vienna; then joined the circle of L.  Foerster and T.  Hansen (for 
whom he designed Epstein Palace on the Ringstrasse in Vienna). From 
1884 Professor at the Vienna Academy. Independent from 1864, but later 
criticised some of his early work; the most influential Viennese 
architect of the late 19th and early 20th century embodying the 
fruitful combination of  historicism and modernism. Set standards in 
most fields of  architecture. His work was always guided by his 
endeavour to create a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk). In his 
early work combined late Romantic and modernist elements (Epstein 
Villa in Baden, 1867, synagogue in Budapest, 1873); he then developed 
monumental projects and large-scale urban architecture ("Artibus"). 
Until the 1890s preferred an impassioned even opulent Renaissance 
style for the Ringstrasse ( Ringstrasse Style). Planned the building 
on Schottenring 23, 1878; assisted in the Makart procession, 
1879; designed the Hahn Villa in Baden, 1885; and the "big" Wagner 
Villa in Huetteldorf, Vienna in 1888. Participated in international 
competitions on numerous occasions. Later turned away from historicist 
style and embraced a more innovative approach with an emphasis on 
formal design rather than structure. Even though he strongly supported 
the transition to modern realism and functionalism he remained loyal 
to the belief that the architect, as an artist, although recognising 
engineering aspects must rise above simple functionalism. With his 
works he largely defined both  Secession architecture and the basis of 
modernism, later to be put into practice by younger artists 
("Schuetzenhaus" building at the weir at Kaiserbad on the Danube 
Canal, Vienna, 1904-1906). The housing constructions of this phase won 
international recognition (in Vienna the buildings on the Wienzeile, 
1898, the "small" Wagner Villa, 1913). While many famous designs were 
not actually constructed (e.g. Academy, City Museum, Ministry of War), 
W. completed 3 masterpieces: the building of the Vienna City railway 
(1892-1901, esp. the station buildings, today the U4 line and the U6 
line), the church at Steinhof (1902-1907) and the Post Office Savings 
Bank (1904-1906). As a teacher he founded a renowned school of 
architecture (J. M.  Olbrich, J.  Hoffmann, J.  Plecnik) that 
continued to develop his ideas in accordance with the highest 
aesthetic values, but unfortunately, due to lack of financial means, 
could not often carry them out. His son, Otto W. the Younger, 
(b. Aug. 28, 1864, d. Aug. 28, 1945) was also an architect 
and worked mainly in Belgium.

!Publications
Einige Skizzen, Projekte und ausgefuehrte Bauwerke, 
4 vols., 1889-1922 (reprint with an introduction by P. Haiko 
1987); Moderne Architektur, 1895 (%%sup 4/%1915: Die Baukunst unserer 
Zeit); Die Qualitaet des Baukuenstlers, 1912.

!Literature
M. Pozzetto, Die Schule O. W., 1894-1912, 1980; H. 
Geretsegger and M. Peintner, O. W. 1841-1918, %%sup 2/%1983; P. 
Asenbaum et al., O. W. Moebel und Innenraeume, 1984; O. A. 
Graf, O. W., 1985ff.; I. Mueller, Die O.-W.-Synagoge in Budapest, 
1992; C. Benedik (ed.), Das ungebaute Wien, exhibition catalogue, 
Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien 1999.


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