Remembering the artist who had a major influence in the artistic life of Berlin

A major German baroque sculptor and architect Andreas Schluter was born on this day, 20 May 1659. Born in Hamburg, he worked in Warsaw as a sculptor and later called by the prince elector of Brandenburg, Frederick III who became King Frederick I of Prussia in upcoming years to Berlin in 1694 to work as a sculptor.

Decorations at the Royal Chapel, Gdansk (1681), the high-altar, Olivia Cathedral, near Gdansk (1688) and the sculptural work of Krasinski Palace was some of his work from his initial years as a sculptor. His sculpted decorations are considered as a masterpiece of baroque expression. ‘Great Elector’, Frederick William of Brandenburg, was his most important equestrian sculpture cast in 1708 and placed at ‘Lange Brucke’ near Berlin City Palace, now situated in the honour court before Charlottenburg Palace.

The Berlin City Palace, Amber Room were partially destroyed by bombing in World War II which were some of his famous works of architecture. But the sculptured keystones from the arsenal, particularly the series of dying warriors still survive as supreme example of Schluter’s genius.

He took the role of ‘Hofbaumeister’ (Court Architect) in Berlin and built many state buildings and also served as director of Prussian Academy of Arts from 1701-1704, here he had a great influence on artistic life of Berlin. The collapse of the Mint Tower, Berlin became the reason of his resignation from the post in 1710.

He died in 1714 and his works are till now considered to be a masterpiece and are appreciated by art lovers.