Knuckfus, Martin

Activities started in Warsaw . He studied under the architects Efraim Schroeger , working in Warsaw, Simon Bohumil Zug , and was influenced by D. Merlini.

After moving to Vilna, Knuckfus worked for some time with Bishop Ignatius Masalski . He became a captain of the troops ON . In 1773 - 1775 he taught at the University of Vilnius. In 1782 - 1794, the architect of the Main Vilnius School . He participated in the uprising of 1794 .

He designed and reconstructed buildings of public importance, houses and palaces of philistines and nobles in Vilna and large manor ensembles. Not all of Knuckfus’s legacy is reliably confirmed by documents: some of the buildings are associated with his name on the basis of similarities with his genuine works of general composition or individual fragments. Moderate forms, rationality and simplicity, oriented towards French classicism of Louis XVI style and traditions of the late Renaissance, are inherent in his works.

According to the project of Knuckfus, in 1783 - 1792, the Church of St. James was built in Kurtuvenai ( Šiauliai district ). Three-nave church with a high hull and lower presbytery. The two-tower composition of the main facade with forms partly continues the traditions of Vilnius Baroque and at the same time contains elements of classicism .

The combination of Baroque and Classicism elements is clearly in the church of the Holy Trinity in Troshkunai designed by Knuckfus in 1773 - a basilic type without a tower in the shape of a Latin cross in plan. The main facade forms a kind of portico of two pairs of columns of the Doric order . In 1789 - 1790, Knuckfus led the construction of the Dominican church in Trakai . In 1787, according to his design, an altar was built in the church of All Saints in Vilna.

He also reconstructed the Green Bridge over Vilija ( 1791 ) in Vilna, supervised the reconstruction and construction of the Vilnius University buildings. Knuckfus also designed the palace in Paežarijai ( 1795 - 1799 ; Wilkavish district ).

Brzostowski Palace

It is assumed that according to the Knuckfus project, in 1769, the facade and interior of the two-story Brzostowski palace, located on the corner of Universiteto ( Universiteto g. ) And Dominicon ( Dominikonų g. 18/2 ), which belonged to the famous tycoon Pavel Xavier Brzostowski , were then decorated sold to Yakub Nagursky, and later owned by Oginsky. The building was reconstructed in 1957 and several times later, part of its ground floor is now occupied by a pharmacy and an optics salon, part of the building is reserved for residential premises. ^{[1] [2]}

Astronomical Observatory

Among the most prominent public buildings created by Knuckfus is the southern extension of the astronomical observatory of the Main Lithuanian School (later Vilnius University ; 1782 - 1788 ). The annex designed according to the principles of Martin Pochobut uses forms of early classicism . Two symmetrical side towers, designed for astronomical observations, give the building a graceful verticality. The high base and the Doric entablature , above which the attic rises, form horizontal sections of the facade. Frieze is decorated with zodiac signs in metopes .

Bishop's Palace in Verki

Around 1780, Bishop Ignacy Yakub Masalsky commissioned Knuckfus to reconstruct the summer residence in Verki . According to the Knuckfus project, the eastern and western officers were built and the construction of the central palace was begun (later work was continued by Laurinas Stuoka-Gutsevičius ).

Sulistrowski Palace

Knuckfus owns the Sulistrovsky Palace project in Vilna (4 Skapo Street ; also known as the Lopatsinsky Palace). The axis of symmetry is accented by ionic half-columns imitating the portico and a triangular pediment , the tympanum of which is decorated with a cartouche with a coat of arms . The corners of the palace are emphasized by rust .

Choiseulles Palace (de Reus)

To the Choiselle Palace, also known as the Palace de Reusov (Palace Square, then Muravyov Square, in the interwar years Napoleon Square, after World War II Kutuzov Square, now S. Daukanto Square , S. Daukanto a. 2 / Universiteto g. 10 ), presumably, a majestic portico in the spirit of mature classicism was attached to the project of Knuckfus. Four ionic columns located at equal distances support a massive entablature and pediment. The rhythm of the columns is repeated by pilasters on the wall. The monumental portico is one of the accents of the composition of the square.

Abramovich Palace

Between 1801 and 1806, Knuckfus reconstructed the Abramovich Palace in Vilnius ( Bolshaya Street , now Vilnius Juozas Tallat-Kelpši Conservatory on Didžioji Street , Didžioji g. 36 ) from four buildings.

The western building was rebuilt in the forms of early classicism, especially distinct in the main facade with a pediment on four ionic columns and ionic pilasters between the windows. ^[3]

Tiesenhaus Palace

The architect was also involved in the reconstruction of the Fittinhof Palace (also known as the Tiesenhaus Palace ; the corner of Deutsche Neuf (now Vokeczyu ) and Trok Street ( Traku ) ( Vokiečių g. 28 / Trakų g. 17 ), presumably around 1790 .

In memory of Martin Knuckfus, a memorial plaque was erected in the courtyard of the Vilnius Academy of Art .

• Lietuvos architektūros istorija. T. II: Nuo XVII a. pradžios iki XIX a. vidurio. Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidykla, 1994. ISBN 5-420-00583-3 . P. 275-285. (lit.)
• Lithuania. Brief Encyclopedia. Vilnius: Main edition of encyclopedias, 1989.S. 321.

• Martynas Knakfusas (lit.) (Link unavailable) . Vilniaus klasicizmo dailininkai . Lietuvos dailės muziejus (2000). Date of treatment January 26, 2014. Archived January 11, 2013.