Friedrich Wilhelm Mengelberg
| Friedrich Wilhelm Mengelberg | |
|---|---|
c. 1900
|
|
| Born | 18 October 1837 Cologne |
| Died | 6 February 1919 |
| Resting place | Utrecht |
| Residence | Utrecht |
| Nationality | German-Dutch |
| Occupation | sculptor |
| Employer | St. Bemulphus guild |
| Known for | architect of church interiors |
| Spouse(s) | Wilhelmina Helen |
| Children | 16 |
| Parent(s) | father: Johann Egidius Mengelberg mother: Catharina Wilhelmina Leiniger |
| Relatives | grandfather: Egidius Mengelberg (1770–1849) uncle: Otto Heinrich (1817–1890) |
Friedrich Wilhelm Mengelberg (1837–1919) was a German-Dutch sculptor, architect of church interiors, and art collector. His work promoted the Gothic Revival architectural-style in churches throughout Germany and the Netherlands. The Mengelberg family has a long history of various artists and professionals.
Mengelberg's parents were Johann Egidius Mengelberg and Catharina Wilhelmina Leiniger. His grandfather Egidius Mengelberg (1770–1849) was a well-known painter, as was his uncle, Otto Heinrich (1817–1890). On 18 October 1866 Mengelberg married Wilhelmina Helen Schrattenholz, and together they had sixteen children – eight sons and eight daughters – including the conductor Willem Mengelberg (1871–1951); some others of their children died young. Mengelberg's parents were Protestant, but when he turned eighteen he converted to Catholicism, probably influenced by his interest in medieval art.
Mengelberg came from a family of artists. He began his Neoclassical architecture training in Cologne under the sculptor Christoph Stephann (1797–1864). Friedrich (von) Schmidt subsequently instructed him in medieval art, especially Gothic art. He set up a studio in Cologne, managed by his younger brother Otto, but he left the studio to his brother Otto and moved to Aachen in about 1865. Mengelberg then became acquainted with the theologian and historian of ancient art Franz Johann Joseph Bock (1823–1899), who took him under his wing and further educated him in medieval art.
Through Bock's mediation, Mengelberg received a commission in 1868 to construct a bishop's throne for the Roman Catholic Saint Catherine's Cathedral in Utrecht. It was so well received by the church authorities that Mengelberg was invited to settle in Utrecht to build church furniture. He moved there in 1872, and became interested in the neo-Gothic art of the Netherlands. Mengelberg helped finish the interiors of Saint Catherine's Cathedral and Willibrord Church.
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