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| name = Benedikt Rejt | name = Benedikt Rejt
| image = Benedikt Rejt.jpg | image = Benedikt Rejt.jpg
| caption = A probable portrait of Benedikt Rejt, detail of the painting ''Danish king Eric comes to see St. Wenceslas church'' in the ] of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague | caption = A probable portrait of Benedikt Rejt, detail of the painting ''Danish king Eric comes to see St. Wenceslas Church'' in the ] of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
| birth_name = Benedikt Ried | birth_name = Benedikt Ried
| birth_date = c. 1450 | birth_date = c. 1450
Line 12: Line 12:
| known_for = Architecture | known_for = Architecture
| movement = Late ], sometimes with ] elements (so called ]) | movement = Late ], sometimes with ] elements (so called ])
| notable_works = ''] in ]'',<br> ''] in ]'',<br> '']'' in ],<br> '']'' in ] | notable_works = ] in ],<br> ] in ],<br> ] in ],<br> ] in ]
}} }}
'''Benedikt Rejt''' (often spelled '''Benedikt Ried''', also known as Benedikt Rieth, Benedikt Reyd, or Benedict Reijt. In Czech, he often has the epithet "of Pístov" ]?] or "of Louny"; c. 1450 – between 1531 and 1536) was a leading ] ] in ], today's ]. He built ] (1497–1500) in ], ], (c. 1482) and other buildings in a ] and early ] style. '''Benedikt Rejt''' (often spelled '''Benedikt Ried'''{{efn|also known as Benedikt Rieth, Benedikt Reyd, or Benedict Reijt. In Czech, he often has the epithet "of Pístov" ]?] or "of Louny"}}; c. 1450 – between 1531 and 1536) was a leading ] ] in ], today's ]. He built ] (1497–1500) in ], ], (c. 1482) and other buildings in a late ] and early ] style.


== Historical context == == Historical context ==
Bohemia became the cultural center of Central Europe when ] brought the Holy Roman Emperor's court to ] in the 14th century. The Royal Court Workshop under the guidance of ] was one of the highlights of ] in the ]. The ] then stopped all plans for cultural development in the region for many decades. When Bohemia was again open to Europe after 1480, during the reign of ], good architects were in great demand. The king as well as Bohemian noblemen (the ] being among the richest) searched the surrounding workshops, especially in ] countries, for a master builder to realize their projects.<ref name = "Mencl">Václav Mencl: Architektura, in: Pozdně gotické uměnív Čechách, Odeon Prague 1978 {{in lang|cs}}</ref> The king had a great challenge in the court of ], where ] started building ] in 1471.<ref name = "Mencl"/> Bohemia became the cultural center of Central Europe when ] brought the Holy Roman Emperor's court to ] in the 14th century. The Royal Court Workshop under the guidance of ] was one of the highlights of ] in the ]. The ] then stopped all plans for cultural development in the region for many decades.
When Bohemia was again open to Europe after 1480, during the reign of ], good architects were in great demand. The king as well as Bohemian noblemen (the ] being among the richest) searched the surrounding workshops, especially in ] countries, for a master builder to realize their projects.<ref name="Mencl">Václav Mencl: Architektura, in: Pozdně gotické uměnív Čechách, Odeon Prague 1978 {{in lang|cs}}</ref> The king had a great challenge in the court of ], where ] started building ] in 1471.<ref name="Mencl" />


== Life == == Life ==
There is little information about Rejt from historical sources. The dates of birth and death are unclear as well as the place of origin or early life activity (Mencl guesses the ], probably ]).<ref name = "Mencl"/> All the knowledge of his life comes from a few documents, especially those of a judicial character.<ref name = "Kalina">Pavel Kalina: Benedikt Ried a počátky zaalpské renesance, Academia Prague 2009, {{ISBN|978-80-200-1744-4}} {{in lang|cs}}</ref> From these sources it is obvious that Rejt was a renowned architect and ''baumeister'' ({{lang-la|magister operis}}, "master builder") whose opinion was highly valued at court, where he was called to review work of other contemporary architects. As early as 1489 (when he was asked to review the work of ]),<ref name = "Kalina"/> he was considered an authority in the field of architecture. This fact supports the surmise that he had created some of the masterpieces built before that year with unclear authorship. In addition, Prague, ], Kutná Hora, and ] (the latter two were silver-mining centres at that time) were among the richest cities of Central Europe, and it is likely that only the best architects were invited to work there. After 1500 he was often referred to as ''Master Benedikt'' and a ] architect and stonemason hired by the ].<ref name = "Kalina"/> There is also a theory that Rejt can be identified with ], who rebuilt ] (1519) and other buildings in ] (Borowska 2004).<ref name = "Kalina"/> There is little information about Rejt from historical sources. The dates of birth and death are unclear as well as the place of origin or early life activity (Mencl guesses the ] River, probably ]).<ref name="Mencl"/> All the knowledge of his life comes from a few documents, especially those of a judicial character.<ref name="Kalina">Pavel Kalina: Benedikt Ried a počátky zaalpské renesance, Academia Prague 2009, {{ISBN|978-80-200-1744-4}} {{in lang|cs}}</ref> From these sources it is obvious that Rejt was a renowned architect and ''baumeister'' ({{langx|la|magister operis}}, "master builder") whose opinion was highly valued at court, where he was called to review work of other contemporary architects. As early as 1489 (when he was asked to review the work of ]),<ref name="Kalina"/> he was considered an authority in the field of architecture. This fact supports the surmise that he had created some of the masterpieces built before that year with unclear authorship. In addition, Prague, ], Kutná Hora, and ] (the latter two were silver-mining centres at that time) were among the richest cities of Central Europe, and it is likely that only the best architects were invited to work there.
After 1500 he was often referred to as ''Master Benedikt'' and a Prague architect and stonemason hired by the ].<ref name="Kalina" /> There is also a theory that Rejt can be identified with ], who rebuilt ] (1519) and other buildings in Poland.<ref name="Kalina" />


In 1518, Rejt was a chairman and key participant at the congress of architects and stonemasons from all of Central Europe in Annaberg, ].<ref name = "Mencl"/> Many hints in historical sources are disputable. According to some of them Rejt came to Prague as a military engineer to rebuild the Prague Castle fortification (he may have built the walls of the castles ] and ] as well).<ref name = "Kalina"/> He then became famous for his skills in the art of Late Gothic vaults, in which art he reached one of the peaks in all medieval architecture. Earlier he was considered an inventor of the ''tent roof'' of cathedrals (now typical for churches in Kutná Hora and Louny), but it has been discovered from medieval pictures that their use was more common, and Rejt was probably not an exclusive builder of them.<ref name = "Kalina"/> His direct pupil was ] von ], who worked with him in Kutná Hora and Annaberg.<ref name = "Mencl"/> In 1518, Rejt was a chairman and key participant at the congress of architects and stonemasons from all of Central Europe in Annaberg, ].<ref name="Mencl"/> Many hints in historical sources are disputable. According to some of them Rejt came to Prague as a military engineer to rebuild the Prague Castle fortification (he may have built the walls of the castles ] and ] as well).<ref name="Kalina"/> He then became famous for his skills in the art of Late Gothic vaults, in which art he reached one of the peaks in all medieval architecture. Earlier he was considered an inventor of the ''tent roof'' of cathedrals (now typical for churches in Kutná Hora and Louny), but it has been discovered from medieval pictures that their use was more common, and Rejt was probably not an exclusive builder of them.<ref name="Kalina"/> His direct pupil was ] von ], who worked with him in Kutná Hora and Annaberg.<ref name="Mencl"/>


== Work (with his important participation) == == Work (with his important participation) ==


=== Prague Castle === === Prague Castle ===
], the largest medieval vaulted secular room in Europe, completed in 1500<br>Ludvík Wing (Louis Palace), considered to be the first Renaissance building in Bohemia (with examples in ]), later the place of the ]<br>Knight's Stairway with an original vault arrangement *], the largest medieval vaulted secular room in Europe, completed in 1500<br>Ludvík Wing (Louis Palace), considered to be the first Renaissance building in Bohemia (with examples in ]), later the place of the ]<br>Knight's Stairway with an original vault arrangement
⚫ *Fortification with the towers of ''Mihulka'' and ''Daliborka'' (the jail of ]'s opera '']'')

⚫ *Plans for completing ], begun but discontinued
⚫ Fortification with the towers of ''Mihulka'' and ''Daliborka'' (the jail of ]'s opera '']'')

⚫ Plans for completing ], begun but discontinued


=== Bohemia === === Bohemia ===
] in ], from 1512 onward on the aisle and vault,<ref name = "Mencl"/> supervised by Jacob Haylmann von Schweinfurt and a Hans, after Rejt's death by Master Mikuláš and Jan Vlach, tent roof realized by Master Vaněk; restored in 1884–93 by ] and Ludvík Lábler<ref name = "UP2">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 2, Academia Prague 1978</ref> *] in ], from 1512 onward on the aisle and vault,<ref name="Mencl"/> supervised by Jacob Haylmann von Schweinfurt and a Hans, after Rejt's death by Master Mikuláš and Jan Vlach, tent roof realized by Master Vaněk; restored in 1884–93 by ] and Ludvík Lábler<ref name="UP2">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 2, Academia Prague 1978</ref>
<br>] in ], from 1519,<ref name = "Mencl"/> supervised by Pavel of ] and Filip of ], probably Rejt's disciples; restored in 1885–92 by Josef Mocker and 1898–1902 by ]<ref name = "UP4">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 4, Academia Prague 1982</ref> *] in ], from 1519,<ref name="Mencl"/> supervised by Pavel of Pardubice and Filip of Wimpfen, probably Rejt's disciples; restored in 1885–92 by Josef Mocker and 1898–1902 by ]<ref name="UP4">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 4, Academia Prague 1982</ref>
<br>] in ], mentions of Jörg of ]; restored in 1882;<ref name = "UP2"/> moved 841 metres to make room for the expanding ] mines in 1975 *] in ], mentions of Jörg of ]; restored in 1882;<ref name="UP2"/> moved 841 metres to make room for the expanding ] mines in 1975
<br>Villa in Stromovka (Bubeneč) *Villa in Stromovka (Bubeneč)


=== Outside Bohemia === === Outside Bohemia ===
] in ] *] in ]
<br>Castle in ] (Frankenstein), for ] nobility from 1524 onward<ref name = "Mencl"/> *Castle in ] (Frankenstein), for ] nobility from 1524 onward<ref name="Mencl"/>


== Work of more disputable authorship == == Work of more disputable authorship ==


=== Buildings usually assigned to Johannes Spiess (Hans, Hanuš) === === Buildings usually assigned to Johannes Spiess (Hans, Hanuš) ===
Royal Oratory in ] *Royal Oratory in ]
<br>Vladislav bedroom in Old Palace of Prague Castle *Vladislav bedroom in Old Palace of Prague Castle
<br>Parts of St. Peter and Paul's Church in ] Palace, chapel and other rooms in ] *Parts of St. Peter and Paul's Church in ] Palace, chapel and other rooms in ]


=== Property of Půta Švihovský z Riesenburka === === Property of Půta Švihovský of Rýzmberk ===
], in 1505,<ref name = "Mencl"/> fortification system of the ]ed castle<ref name = "UP3">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 3, Academia Prague 1980</ref> *], in 1505,<ref name="Mencl"/> fortification system of the ]ed castle<ref name="UP3">ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 3, Academia Prague 1980</ref>
<br>], fortification system of one of the largest castles in Bohemia<ref name = "UP3"/> *], fortification system of one of the largest castles in Bohemia<ref name="UP3"/>


=== Property of Zdeněk Lev z Rožmitálu === === Property of Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál ===
Palace of ] in ] *Palace of ] in ]
<br>], 1523–1530<ref name = "Mencl"/> *], 1523–1530<ref name="Mencl"/>


=== Others === === Others ===
Virgin Mary Chapel (donated by Viktorin Špulíř) in the Church of the Assumption in ], completed in 1506<ref name = "Wirth">ed. Zdeněk Wirth: Dějepis výtvarného umění v Čechách, I. díl Středověk, Prague 1931</ref> *Virgin Mary Chapel (donated by Viktorin Špulíř) in the Church of the Assumption in ], completed in 1506<ref name="Wirth">ed. Zdeněk Wirth: Dějepis výtvarného umění v Čechách, I. díl Středověk, Prague 1931</ref>
<br>Virgin Mary Chapel on Náměť in Kutná Hora, the burial place of ], assigned to Master Blažek from Kutná Hora<ref name = "Wirth"/> *Virgin Mary Chapel on Náměť in Kutná Hora, the burial place of ], assigned to Master Blažek from Kutná Hora<ref name="Wirth"/>
<br>The vault of the Church of the Assumption in ], damaged in WWII<ref name = "Wirth"/> *The vault of the Church of the Assumption in ], damaged in WWII<ref name="Wirth"/>
<br>The castle in ], fortification after 1531<ref name = "UP4"/> *The castle in ], fortification after 1531<ref name="UP4"/>


== Beneš of Louny == == Beneš of Louny ==
In the 19th century, Czech patriots made efforts to claim that Benedikt Rejt had Czech or Bohemian ancestry. In many sources from that time he is referred to under the name Beneš z Loun (Beneš of Louny), e.g., in the Hall of Fame in the 1891 building of ]. According to tradition, he was buried in St. Nicolas Church in Louny. In 1906, Zikmund Winter concluded the discussion with convincing evidence that Rejt was of German origin and that he learnt Czech as fluently as German, as he could be considered Czech (his offspring identified with Czech nationality).<ref name = "Kalina"/> In the 19th century, Czech patriots made efforts to claim that Benedikt Rejt had Czech or Bohemian ancestry. In many sources from that time he is referred to under the name Beneš of Louny, e.g., in the Hall of Fame in the 1891 building of ]. According to tradition, he was buried in St. Nicholas Church in Louny. In 1906, Zikmund Winter concluded the discussion with convincing evidence that Rejt was of German origin and that he learnt Czech as fluently as German, as he could be considered Czech (his offspring identified with Czech nationality).<ref name="Kalina"/>


== Legacy == == Legacy ==
Line 71: Line 73:


== Gallery of selected works == == Gallery of selected works ==

<gallery> <gallery>
File:Cathedral St Barbara.jpg|St. Barbara's church in Kutná Hora Cathedral St Barbara.jpg|St. Barbara's Church in Kutná Hora
File:Louny01.jpg|Church of St. Nicholas in Louny Louny01.jpg|Church of St. Nicholas in Louny
Image:Prag Vladislav-Saal.jpg|Vladislav Hall at ] Prag Vladislav-Saal.jpg|Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle
File:Most klenba z emp DSCN4602.JPG|Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Most Most klenba z emp DSCN4602.JPG|Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Most
</gallery> </gallery>

⚫ ==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References== ==References==
⚫ ;Notes
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

;Sources
==Further reading==
* Pavel Kalina: European Diplomacy, Family Strategies, and the Origins of Renaissance Architecture in Central and Eastern Europe.Artibus et Historiae. Vol. 30, No. 60 (2009), pp.&nbsp;173–190 * Pavel Kalina: European Diplomacy, Family Strategies, and the Origins of Renaissance Architecture in Central and Eastern Europe.Artibus et Historiae. Vol. 30, No. 60 (2009), pp.&nbsp;173–190


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rejt, Benedikt}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rejt, Benedikt}}
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Latest revision as of 02:37, 18 December 2024

Czech architect
Benedikt Rejt
A probable portrait of Benedikt Rejt, detail of the painting Danish king Eric comes to see St. Wenceslas Church in the St. Wenceslas Chapel of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
BornBenedikt Ried
c. 1450
Diedbetween 1531 and 1536
NationalityBohemian
Known forArchitecture
Notable workVladislav Hall in Prague,
St. Barbara's Church in Kutná Hora,
St. Anne's Church in Annaberg,
St. Nicholas Church in Louny
MovementLate Gothic style, sometimes with Renaissance elements (so called Jagiellonian Gothic)

Benedikt Rejt (often spelled Benedikt Ried; c. 1450 – between 1531 and 1536) was a leading medieval architect in Bohemia, today's Czech Republic. He built Vladislav Hall (1497–1500) in Prague Castle, St. Barbara's Church, Kutná Hora, (c. 1482) and other buildings in a late Gothic and early Renaissance style.

Historical context

Bohemia became the cultural center of Central Europe when Charles IV brought the Holy Roman Emperor's court to Prague in the 14th century. The Royal Court Workshop under the guidance of Peter Parler was one of the highlights of Gothic architecture in the Holy Roman Empire. The Hussite Wars then stopped all plans for cultural development in the region for many decades.

When Bohemia was again open to Europe after 1480, during the reign of Vladislaus II, good architects were in great demand. The king as well as Bohemian noblemen (the House of Rosenberg being among the richest) searched the surrounding workshops, especially in Danubian countries, for a master builder to realize their projects. The king had a great challenge in the court of Meissen, where Albert III, Duke of Saxony started building Albrechtsburg in 1471.

Life

There is little information about Rejt from historical sources. The dates of birth and death are unclear as well as the place of origin or early life activity (Mencl guesses the Inn River, probably Burghausen). All the knowledge of his life comes from a few documents, especially those of a judicial character. From these sources it is obvious that Rejt was a renowned architect and baumeister (Latin: magister operis, "master builder") whose opinion was highly valued at court, where he was called to review work of other contemporary architects. As early as 1489 (when he was asked to review the work of Matěj Rejsek), he was considered an authority in the field of architecture. This fact supports the surmise that he had created some of the masterpieces built before that year with unclear authorship. In addition, Prague, Most, Kutná Hora, and Annaberg (the latter two were silver-mining centres at that time) were among the richest cities of Central Europe, and it is likely that only the best architects were invited to work there.

After 1500 he was often referred to as Master Benedikt and a Prague architect and stonemason hired by the Crown. There is also a theory that Rejt can be identified with Benedykt Sandomierski, who rebuilt Piotrków Trybunalski Castle (1519) and other buildings in Poland.

In 1518, Rejt was a chairman and key participant at the congress of architects and stonemasons from all of Central Europe in Annaberg, Saxony. Many hints in historical sources are disputable. According to some of them Rejt came to Prague as a military engineer to rebuild the Prague Castle fortification (he may have built the walls of the castles Rabí and Švihov as well). He then became famous for his skills in the art of Late Gothic vaults, in which art he reached one of the peaks in all medieval architecture. Earlier he was considered an inventor of the tent roof of cathedrals (now typical for churches in Kutná Hora and Louny), but it has been discovered from medieval pictures that their use was more common, and Rejt was probably not an exclusive builder of them. His direct pupil was Jacob Haylmann von Schweinfurt, who worked with him in Kutná Hora and Annaberg.

Work (with his important participation)

Prague Castle

  • Vladislav Hall, the largest medieval vaulted secular room in Europe, completed in 1500
    Ludvík Wing (Louis Palace), considered to be the first Renaissance building in Bohemia (with examples in Italy), later the place of the Second Defenestration of Prague
    Knight's Stairway with an original vault arrangement
  • Fortification with the towers of Mihulka and Daliborka (the jail of Bedřich Smetana's opera Dalibor)
  • Plans for completing St. Vitus Cathedral, begun but discontinued

Bohemia

Outside Bohemia

Work of more disputable authorship

Buildings usually assigned to Johannes Spiess (Hans, Hanuš)

Property of Půta Švihovský of Rýzmberk

Property of Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál

Others

  • Virgin Mary Chapel (donated by Viktorin Špulíř) in the Church of the Assumption in Jindřichův Hradec, completed in 1506
  • Virgin Mary Chapel on Náměť in Kutná Hora, the burial place of Petr Brandl, assigned to Master Blažek from Kutná Hora
  • The vault of the Church of the Assumption in Ústí nad Labem, damaged in WWII
  • The castle in Březnice, fortification after 1531

Beneš of Louny

In the 19th century, Czech patriots made efforts to claim that Benedikt Rejt had Czech or Bohemian ancestry. In many sources from that time he is referred to under the name Beneš of Louny, e.g., in the Hall of Fame in the 1891 building of National Museum in Prague. According to tradition, he was buried in St. Nicholas Church in Louny. In 1906, Zikmund Winter concluded the discussion with convincing evidence that Rejt was of German origin and that he learnt Czech as fluently as German, as he could be considered Czech (his offspring identified with Czech nationality).

Legacy

A gallery and a square are named after Rejt in Louny. There is also a 20th-century statue of Benedikt Rejt holding a plumb line.

Gallery of selected works

  • St. Barbara's Church in Kutná Hora St. Barbara's Church in Kutná Hora
  • Church of St. Nicholas in Louny Church of St. Nicholas in Louny
  • Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle
  • Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Most Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Most

Notes

  1. also known as Benedikt Rieth, Benedikt Reyd, or Benedict Reijt. In Czech, he often has the epithet "of Pístov" or "of Louny"

References

  1. ^ Václav Mencl: Architektura, in: Pozdně gotické uměnív Čechách, Odeon Prague 1978 (in Czech)
  2. ^ Pavel Kalina: Benedikt Ried a počátky zaalpské renesance, Academia Prague 2009, ISBN 978-80-200-1744-4 (in Czech)
  3. ^ ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 2, Academia Prague 1978
  4. ^ ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 4, Academia Prague 1982
  5. ^ ed. Emanuel Poche: Umělecké památky Čech 3, Academia Prague 1980
  6. ^ ed. Zdeněk Wirth: Dějepis výtvarného umění v Čechách, I. díl Středověk, Prague 1931

Further reading

  • Pavel Kalina: European Diplomacy, Family Strategies, and the Origins of Renaissance Architecture in Central and Eastern Europe.Artibus et Historiae. Vol. 30, No. 60 (2009), pp. 173–190
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