Grayscale drawing of a church
Online exhibition

Wilhelm von Hanno

Wilhelm von Hanno (1826–82) was one of the most important and prolific architects in 19th century Norway. It is difficult to move very far around Oslo without encountering his architecture.

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Wilhelm von Hanno (1826–1882)

In the 19th century, Wilhelm von Hanno was one of Norway’s most important and prolific architects. It is difficult to walk far in Oslo without encountering his architecture. Originally from Germany, von Hanno emigrated to Norway as a newly qualified architect.

Von Hanno worked as a stone mason, draughtsman and architect. He had studied under the architectural painter Martin Gensler, and in Christiania (now Oslo) he ran his own drawing school, which made an important contribution to artistic and architectural education in the city. He was also responsible for the design of Norway’s posthorn postage stamps. Designed in 1871, these stamps are still in use today.

The Trinity Church

Following a lengthy and arduous process, Trinity Church was completed in 1858. Until then Our Saviour’s Church (now Oslo Cathedral) had been the city’s only church, but it had become too small for the growing congregation. In 1849, the city invited five architects to submit designs for a new church. This was probably the first architectural competition held in Norway. The city awarded the commission to the celebrated German architect Alexis de Chateauneuf (1799–1853), based in Hamburg, whose wife was Norwegian.

Chateauneuf proposed an octagonal central-plan church crowned by a monumental dome. The central space beneath the dome interior was surrounded by a vaulted colonnade supporting the gallery, which also created a symbolic transition from the dark entrance to the light-filled nave.

Grayscale drawing of a church
Wilhelm von Hanno, “Trinity Church in the Snow”, 1850. Watercolour and gouache, 243 x 333 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland
Rough draft of church interior
Alexis de Chateauneuf: "Design for the Interiour in Trinity Church", 1850. Pencil, 427 x 544 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Øyvind Andersen
Wilhelm von Hanno: “The Arch Way in Trinity Church”, 1851. Pen, pencil, and watercolour, 530 x 720 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland

The Christiania Fire of 1858

Watercolor drawing of house destroyed by fire
Wilhelm von Hanno: “Petersen’s House destroyed by Fire”, 1858. Watercolour, 253 x 327 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland

Grønland

Grønland was incorporated into Christiania in 1859, generating a need for public buildings in the city’s newest district. The city authorities decided to build a combined fire-and-police station, a school and a church. A competition for all three buildings was announced in 1864. Von Hanno and Schirmer submitted separate proposals, thus marking the end of their long-standing partnership.

church design
Wilhelm von Hanno: “Design for buildings in Grønland”, 1864. Watercolour, 315 x 450 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland

The Geographic Survey of Norway

As early as the 1850s there were proposals to erect a dedicated building to house both the National Archives and the Geographic Survey of Norway (now the Norwegian Mapping Authority) at Tullinløkka, close to the Royal Palace. Three architects, including von Hanno, were invited to submit proposals.

Wilhelm von Hanno: “Design for a National Archive Building”, 1853. Pen and wash, 361 x 474 mm.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland
Wilhem von Hanno: “Building for The Geographic Survey of Norway”, 1877. Pen and wash, 640 x 750 mm. Elevation.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland