Nicola Pacassi

Nicolò Pacassi, or Nicola Picassi, born in Wiener Neustadt on March 5, 1716, was a prominent Austrian architect of Italian origin. Son of Giovanni, a sculptor of Greek origin, he moved to Vienna to work on the imperial family's sepulcher. In 1745, he completed the Palazzo Attems-Petzsenstein in Gorizia, showcasing Austrian Baroque influences on a predominantly Venetian structure. Between 1755 and 1763, he designed the Kreuzkirche in Vienna, adopting a French Rococo style known as the 'Teresian style.' After frequent stays in Vienna, he was appointed court architect by Maria Theresa in 1753. His versatility led him to work on many projects, including the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. In 1768, he was appointed a baron and a member of the S. Luca Academy in Rome. In 1769, he completed the palace for Archduchess Maria Anna in Klagenfurt, an example of functional classicism that preceded Neoclassicism. In 1772, his career declined, and he died in Vienna in 1790. Despite his prolific work, many of his buildings were destroyed in the neoclassical fervor. His figure, long distorted by nationalist interpretations, has been reevaluated for his unique contribution to the architectural scene of the Austrian Empire.