Karl Blank
Encyclopedia
Karl Blank (1728–1793) was a Russian architect, notable as one of the last practitioners of Baroque
architecture and the first Moscow
architect to build early neoclassical
buildings. His surviving, undisputed legacy consists of three baroque churches and Moscow Orphanage
. The Ukrainian palace of Kachanovka
is also attributed to him.
refugees who settled in Germany. His grandfather, Jacob, a skilled blacksmith, migrated to Russia during the reign of Peter I
. Father, already having a russified name, Ivan Yakovlevich Blank, began his career as an interpreter for the German architects in Saint Petersburg
. Eventually, he became an assistant to Russian architect, Pyotr Yeropkin
, who was closely associated with then-powerful courtier Artemy Volynsky
. In June 1740, Volynsky and Yeropkin lost their heads for the alleged conspiracy against Anna of Russia
. Ivan Blank was sentenced to lifelong exile in Siberia
with all his family. Karl's mother died during the long way to Tobolsk
. In Tobolsk, Ivan and Karl met a talented local boy, Alexander Kokorinov
. In 1741, when Elizabeth of Russia came to power and pardoned all involved in Volynsky trial, Blanks were allowed to return home; they took Kokorinov with them and left for Moscow. However, Ivan Blank died soon upon his return.
Karl Blank and Alexander Kokorinov joined state construction crews led by Ivan Korobov and Pyotr Obukhov. By 1749, Karl passed junior architects' exams to the panel presided by Bartolomeo Rastrelli
and was appointed an assistant to Alexey Yevlashev. Rastrelli supervised Blank's early career and instructed him to plan restoration and expansion drafts for the main cathedral of the New Jerusalem Monastery
. This early project never materialized, but a few years later, in 1756-1759 Blank himself took the lead in restoring New Jerusalem.
His own early designs, like the completed Annenhof palace in Lefortovo
, did not survive (they burnt down in the Fire of 1812
or otherwise perished before the invention of photography). Blank's career peaked in 1760s, in the reign of Catherine II
. He successfully managed the architectural part of Catherine's coronation in Moscow; the new empress commissioned him to build church of St. Catherine in Zamoskvorechye
. Despite subsequent fires and rebuilds, original dome of St. Catherine's still stands in Bolshaya Ordynka Street. Blank became a house architect for Ivan Vorontsov
, and built two extant churches on Vorontsov's lands (one in Moscow, one in his country estate). The fourth extant church stands near Yauza Gates; two other Moscow churches were demolished in 1930s. Some researchers also give him full credit for the Trinity church in present-day Zheleznodorozhny
.
In 1764-1781 Blank built his largest project, Moscow Orphanage
, designed to house 8,000 resident children and staff. Only two thirds of his original plan were completed; the eastern wing was added only in 1940s. The Orphanage is believed to be Moscow's first neoclassical building, and is surely the earliest extant example of the style, retaining most of original exterior. The Orphanage earned him a reputation of a manager who could handle the largest projects of his time; at the same time its austere looks scared off the customers. Soon after acquiring the Kremlin Senate
commission in 1775, Blank was stripped of the job (the Senate was redesigned and completed by Matvey Kazakov
); his third large work for the state, Catherine's Institute in Meshchansky District
of Moscow, burnt down in 1812.
In 1780-s, Blank quit independent construction management and became a consultant in landscaping and interior design; his advise was sought after by the wealthiest nobles. Notably, he consulted count Pyotr Sheremetyev on Kuskovo
palace project, and personally designed the Hermitage and Dutch house pavilions.
Blank had five children; among his descendents are Nikolay Basargin, a convicted decembrist, and notable geographer Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky
.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
architecture and the first Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
architect to build early neoclassical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
buildings. His surviving, undisputed legacy consists of three baroque churches and Moscow Orphanage
Moscow Orphanage
The Moscow Orphanage or Foundling Home Vospitatel′nyj dom v Moskve was an ambitious project conceived by Catherine the Great and Ivan Betskoy, in the early 1760s...
. The Ukrainian palace of Kachanovka
Kachanovka
Kachanovka is one of the country estates of Pyotr Rumyantsev, Catherine II's viceroy of Little Russia. It stands on the bank of the Smosh River in Chernihiv Oblast of Ukraine. Other Rumyantsev estates in the region include the better known Gomel Residence.The Neoclassical residence was erected in...
is also attributed to him.
Biography
Blank's ancestors were French HuguenotHuguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
refugees who settled in Germany. His grandfather, Jacob, a skilled blacksmith, migrated to Russia during the reign of Peter I
Peter I of Russia
Peter the Great, Peter I or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov Dates indicated by the letters "O.S." are Old Style. All other dates in this article are New Style. ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire from until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his half-brother, Ivan V...
. Father, already having a russified name, Ivan Yakovlevich Blank, began his career as an interpreter for the German architects in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. Eventually, he became an assistant to Russian architect, Pyotr Yeropkin
Pyotr Yeropkin
Pyotr Mikhailovich Yeropkin was a Russian architect credited with replanning Saint Petersburg after Peter the Great's death. It was Yeropkin who designed the famous Trident of the Nevsky, Voznesensky, and Gorokhovaya thoroughfares as the city's structural center...
, who was closely associated with then-powerful courtier Artemy Volynsky
Artemy Petrovich Volynsky
Artemy Petrovich Volynsky was a Russian statesman and diplomat. His career started as a soldier but was rapidly upgraded to minister under Peter the Great and governor of Astrakhan...
. In June 1740, Volynsky and Yeropkin lost their heads for the alleged conspiracy against Anna of Russia
Anna of Russia
Anna of Russia or Anna Ivanovna reigned as Duchess of Courland from 1711 to 1730 and as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740.-Accession to the throne:Anna was the daughter of Ivan V of Russia, as well as the niece of Peter the Great...
. Ivan Blank was sentenced to lifelong exile in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
with all his family. Karl's mother died during the long way to Tobolsk
Tobolsk
Tobolsk is a town in Tyumen Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Tobol and Irtysh Rivers. It is a historic capital of Siberia. Population: -History:...
. In Tobolsk, Ivan and Karl met a talented local boy, Alexander Kokorinov
Alexander Kokorinov
Alexander Filippovich Kokorinov was a Russian architect and educator, one of the founders, the first builder, director and rector of the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Peterburg. Kokorinov has been house architect of the Razumovsky family and Ivan Shuvalov, the first President of the Academy...
. In 1741, when Elizabeth of Russia came to power and pardoned all involved in Volynsky trial, Blanks were allowed to return home; they took Kokorinov with them and left for Moscow. However, Ivan Blank died soon upon his return.
Karl Blank and Alexander Kokorinov joined state construction crews led by Ivan Korobov and Pyotr Obukhov. By 1749, Karl passed junior architects' exams to the panel presided by Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli was an Italian architect naturalized Russian. He developed an easily recognizable style of Late Baroque, both sumptuous and majestic...
and was appointed an assistant to Alexey Yevlashev. Rastrelli supervised Blank's early career and instructed him to plan restoration and expansion drafts for the main cathedral of the New Jerusalem Monastery
New Jerusalem Monastery
The New Jerusalem Monastery or Novoiyerusalimsky Monastery , also known as the Voskresensky Monastery, is a male monastery, located in the town of Istra in Moscow Oblast, Russia....
. This early project never materialized, but a few years later, in 1756-1759 Blank himself took the lead in restoring New Jerusalem.
His own early designs, like the completed Annenhof palace in Lefortovo
Lefortovo
Lefortovo could refer to a number of places or things in or around Moscow, Russia:*Lefortovo District, a district in South-Eastern Administrative Okrug*Lefortovo prison, a prison*Lefortovo tunnel, a road tunnel...
, did not survive (they burnt down in the Fire of 1812
Fire of Moscow (1812)
The 1812 Fire of Moscow broke out on September 14, 1812 in Moscow on the day when Russian troops and most residents abandoned the city and Napoleon's vanguard troops entered the city following the Battle of Borodino...
or otherwise perished before the invention of photography). Blank's career peaked in 1760s, in the reign of Catherine II
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
. He successfully managed the architectural part of Catherine's coronation in Moscow; the new empress commissioned him to build church of St. Catherine in Zamoskvorechye
Zamoskvorechye
Zamoskvorechye District is a district of Central Administrative Okrug in Moscow, Russia. Population: The district contains the eastern half of historical Zamoskvorechye area , and the territories of Zatsepa Street and Paveletsky Rail Terminal south of the Garden Ring...
. Despite subsequent fires and rebuilds, original dome of St. Catherine's still stands in Bolshaya Ordynka Street. Blank became a house architect for Ivan Vorontsov
Vorontsov
Vorontsov, also Woronzow, Woroncow is a celebrated Russian family, which attained the dignity of Counts of the Holy Roman Empire in 1744 and Serene Princes of the Russian Empire in 1852....
, and built two extant churches on Vorontsov's lands (one in Moscow, one in his country estate). The fourth extant church stands near Yauza Gates; two other Moscow churches were demolished in 1930s. Some researchers also give him full credit for the Trinity church in present-day Zheleznodorozhny
Zheleznodorozhny, Moscow Oblast
Zheleznodorozhny is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located east of Moscow. Population: It was founded in 1861 as a settlement servicing the railway station of Obiralovka , made famous by Leo Tolstoy as the death place of the main character of the novel Anna Karenina.In 1938, it was renamed...
.
In 1764-1781 Blank built his largest project, Moscow Orphanage
Moscow Orphanage
The Moscow Orphanage or Foundling Home Vospitatel′nyj dom v Moskve was an ambitious project conceived by Catherine the Great and Ivan Betskoy, in the early 1760s...
, designed to house 8,000 resident children and staff. Only two thirds of his original plan were completed; the eastern wing was added only in 1940s. The Orphanage is believed to be Moscow's first neoclassical building, and is surely the earliest extant example of the style, retaining most of original exterior. The Orphanage earned him a reputation of a manager who could handle the largest projects of his time; at the same time its austere looks scared off the customers. Soon after acquiring the Kremlin Senate
Kremlin Senate
The Kremlin Senate is a building within the grounds of the Moscow Kremlin in Russia. Initially constructed from 1776-1787, it originally housed the Moscow branch of the Governing Senate, the highest judiciary and legislative office of Imperial Russia. Currently, it houses the Russian presidential...
commission in 1775, Blank was stripped of the job (the Senate was redesigned and completed by Matvey Kazakov
Matvey Kazakov
Matvey Fyodorovich Kazakov was a Russian Neoclassical architect. Kazakov was one of the most influential Muscovite architects during the reign of Catherine II, completing numerous private residences, two royal palaces, two hospitals, Moscow University, and the Kremlin Senate...
); his third large work for the state, Catherine's Institute in Meshchansky District
Meshchansky District
Meschansky District is a district of Central Administrative Okrug of Moscow, Russia. Population: The district extends due north from Kitai-gorod to Kamer-Kollezhsky Val. Western boundary with Tverskoy District follows the track of Neglinnaya River...
of Moscow, burnt down in 1812.
In 1780-s, Blank quit independent construction management and became a consultant in landscaping and interior design; his advise was sought after by the wealthiest nobles. Notably, he consulted count Pyotr Sheremetyev on Kuskovo
Kuskovo
Kuskovo was the summer country house and estate of the Sheremetev family. Built in the mid-18th century, it was originally situated several miles to the east of Moscow but now is part of the East District of the city. It was one of the first great summer country estates of the Russian nobility,...
palace project, and personally designed the Hermitage and Dutch house pavilions.
Blank had five children; among his descendents are Nikolay Basargin, a convicted decembrist, and notable geographer Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky
Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky
Pyotr Petrovich Semenov-Tyan-Shansky was a Russian geographer and statistician who managed the Russian Geographical Society for more than 40 years....
.