Prandtauer, Jakob

Prandtauer, Jakob, christened Stanz near Landeck (Tyrol), July 16, 1660, d. St. Pölten (Lower Austria), Sept. 16, 1726, with J. B. Fischer von Erlach and J. L. von Hildebrandt one of the most important architects of the Austrian Baroque, also deep appreciation of craftsmen's skills. P. was trained by H. G. Asam in Schnann (Tyrol) and from 1689 mentioned as a sculptor in Thalheim (Lower Austria). His art developed far from the imperial residence, he was unable to obtain large secular commissions, but as an architect was held in high favour by the Prelates' Estate. P. was in Vienna in 1701 and 1704, his style was inspired by the ideas of Fischer von Erlach, M. Steinl, A. Beduzzi and C. A. Carlone and lived on in the works of his nephew J. Munggenast and his sons. His work is noted for its practicality and adaptability while retaining its individual style; this also explains the large qualitative range of his work. His life's work is the abbey of Melk (1702-1736, with A. N. Beduzzi, J. Munggenast and others), where he worked until his death.

Works: Lower Austria: Chapel of the Thalheim palace, around 1690; priest's house in Haitzendorf, 1694-1700; parish church in Weikendorf (alterations), 1702-1704; pilgrimage church in Sonntagberg, 1706-1718; dome of the pilgrimage church in Maria Taferl, 1707-1711; Carmelite Church in St. Pölten (building supervisor), 1708-1712; parts of the monastery at Herzogenburg, 1714-1716; renovation of the St. Pölten cathedral, 1721/1722. - Upper Austria: stairs, hall and guest tract of the monastery in Garsten, 1708-1710; Christkindl pilgrimage church, 1708/1709; continuation of the construction of the monastery at St. Florian, 1708-1726; Neu Pernstein palace, 1715-1717; bishop's court in Linz, 1721-1726; Hohenbrunn palace near St. Florian, 1724-1729. - Plans for the monasteries at Kremsmünster, 1710, Klosterneuburg, 1713, Herzogenburg, 1714, and Göttweig, 1719.

Literature: J. P. und sein Kunstkreis, exhibition catalogue, Melk 1960; G. Schikola, Beiträge zu einer P.-Monographie, 1969; P. Fidler, Zur Bauaufgabe in der Barockarchitektur, 1985; H. Lorenz (ed.), Barock, Geschichte der bildenden Kunst in Ö., ed. by H. Fillitz, vol. 4, 1999.