Franz Christian Gau
Franz Christian Gau, even François Christian Gau and François Chrétien Gau ( born June 15, 1790 in Cologne, † December 31, 1853 in Paris) was a German, from 1826 ( naturalized ) French architect, explorer and builder.
Life
Gau was born in 1790 as son of a businessman from the old city in Cologne in 1809 and came to Paris. There he studied at the Academy and went on study trips to Italy and the Orient. In 1826 he became a French citizen. Gau dealt with the study of Gothic and restored several churches, including St- Julien- le- Pauvre and Saint- Séverin. He also drew designs for Ste- Clotilde, and took in his work Rhenish cathedrals as a model. He was also responsible for the construction of the Paris hospitals, and for the Grande Roquette prison. From 1824 to 1848 was head of a school of architecture Gau mainly trained German. His most famous student was Gottfried Semper.
Gau has a significant contribution to the study of the still largely unknown land and its buildings done by his adventurous journey to the Orient, his exploration of Egypt and Nubia. His findings led to a recognition in the highest circles in France and Germany in the era of rising nationalism.
In December 1842 he founded together with Heinrich Heine in Paris to an aid organization for the Central Cathedral Club of Cologne. Gau was elected president and Heine, Vice President of the Association. Franz Christian Gau was later awarded this honorary membership in the Cologne Dombauverein.
In 1992 received his doctorate in art historian and director of the Cologne City Museum, Mario Kramp on Gau at the University of Aachen.
In his hometown of Cologne brown field was named in his honor a street after him in the district.
Special
- In Cologne City Museum: March 9 to May 26 2013 in Cologne discovered Egypt. The adventurous Orient Expedition of Franz Christian Gau 1818-1820
Writings (selection )
- Les antiquilés de la Nubie (1824 )
- Les ruines de Pompei (the last two volumes: Volume 3, 1829, Volume 4, 1838)