Laurynas GuceviÄius
Laurynas Gucevičius (also: Laurynas Stuoka - Gucevičius, Polish: Wawrzyniec Gucewicz, * 1753 Migonys at Kupiškis, † December 10, 1798 in Vilnius) was an architect at the time of the Polish-Lithuanian Real Union, which applies to the Lithuanians as the first Lithuanian architect and which is the best known representative of the Lithuanian classicism.
Life and work
Gucevičius first went in Kupiškis and Palėvenė, later in Panevėžys for Piarist school. His father was the farmer Simona Masiulis, his mother's name was Kotryna Žekonytė. Because of his stepfather Stuoka he is sometimes referred to Stuoka - Gucevičius. The name Gucevičius ( Gucewicz ) may be traced back to his godmother Anna Gucewicz that financed his education.
After school Laurynas Gucevičius came as a missionary monk to Vilnius. 1773-1775 he studied at the University of Vilnius, 1776-1777 in Rome. In 1778 he traveled through the countries of Western Europe, visited architecture lectures and learned from the works of the best architects of the time. After his return to Vilnius, he became the architect of the Verkiai palace ensemble of the Polish nobles and Bishop Massalski. 1789-1794 he taught cartography and military engineering at the University of Vilnius. In 1793 he was the successor of Martin Knackfuss professor and taught architecture.
Laurynas Gucevičius participated actively in the Kościuszko Uprising in 1794. Here he organized and led in Vilnius a vigilante. In the battle of Ašmena he was seriously injured. The participation in the uprising led to his temporary dismissal as professor, first in 1797, he returned as head of the architecture department.
His most notable buildings are the Town Hall of Vilnius ( 1799 ), the Cathedral of Vilnius ( 1801), the ensemble of Verkiai palace, the palace of Rokiškis and the restoration of the castle of Raudonė. For the western part of Vilnius he made a topographic map. It is believed that Gucevičius worked out for the important noble families Radvila ( Radziwill ), Sapiega ( Sapieha ), Pac, Tyzenhauz and other various projects. Characteristic of his style are the monumentality of the forms and spaces, the harmonious integration of the area and the special treatment and development of ancient forms of architecture. His work has been decisive for many architects of the classical era in Lithuania and Poland.
Life and creations Gucevičius ' have the Lithuanian poet Justina Marcinkevičius inspired to write his song drama The Cathedral.