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A fact from Holzhausenschlösschen appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 15 April 2013 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:
Did you know... that the moatedBaroqueHolzhausenschlösschen, completed in 1729 as a summer residence of the Frankfurt Holzhausen family, has served as a cultural venue from 1989?
As requested, I have had a look at this page, and have made a few small changes. One or two small questions - disregarding the dubious value of the info box, why is it stated that the building is a moated castle, when it is not a castle? Secondly, the infobox tells us that it's in the French Baroque style (whatever that is), when it quite clearly is in a typical North German/Scandinavian Baroque style. Giano 20:09, 10 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Thirdly, the info box stated the 'client' (anachronistic term) was a family, but the article tells us it was Johann Hieronymus von Holzhausen. Which was it - a family paying in unison (unnatural for most families, but not uncommon in the palazzi of the Veneto) or a single individual? Giano 20:13, 10 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
The lede says "built by the Frankfurt patrician family Holzhausen on their farm". As for "French baroque, you'd have to ask the editor who added that uncited qualifier, which is not in the article, on - aptly - 1 April. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits20:37, 10 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
My understanding: if there's a better term for a moated little palace, fine. The Holzausen family is a vague term, important 12xx to 19xx, the one acted as there representative was an individual, how to word that? It's named for the family, not an individual. Is there a better parameter? Owner? --Gerda
I had no idea that Andy Mabbett was involved with this page. Had I known, I would not have touched it with a barge pole. I will leave it entirely to him. Giano 20:56, 10 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Is this similar (as the page states) to other summer residences of the nobility. The nearest is know of is Ashdown House, Oxfordshire which is unlikely to be an inspiration. If so, I think a better known example would be useful to explain what is to many eyes an unusual design. Perhaps the similarity is the building's function (as a summer home) rather than design. Schloss Nymphenburg is actually the same/similar form of Baroque, but I don't think the ordinary layman will see that. I don't think relying on a reference to say 'This is' is sufficient - architecture needs to be explained - otherwise one learns nothing. Giano 07:42, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
A while ago, it read: "Johann Hieronymus von Holzhausen wanted a representative summer residence for his family, imitating the lifestyle of nobility.", - not saying that the building imitated a building. What do you suggest? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:52, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I don't know. Saying he wished to have a country house like that of the nobility seems to me wrong, as the nobility lived in older and larger Schlösser; however, the more nouveau types were building country houses which looked like this [1] (although that is a little younger) which is not dissimilar to your little palace here. I would have thought it safest to say words to the effect of 'like the nobility, he wanted a country house/Landhaus. Incidentally, did they build th ehouse on their 'farm' or their 'estate'? There is a considerable difference. Giano 14:02, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Secondly, Gerda, on refection, I am not totally happy about going with Baroque as the style(have you a reliable reference for this) I added 'restrained', but to be honest the restraint is almost strangling it away from Baroque - even the roof's nordic influence could be argued away from Baroque - if devoid of typical OTT Baroque ornament, a building needs solid mass and affects of light and shade to qualify (chiaroscuro) to qualify - and I am not really getting those either. Therefore, I have asked for a second opinion here [2]. Giano 14:12, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Lichtental Church is indisputable Baroque, but most minor buildings unless by a major architect/exponent of the style, do not so happily fall into these neat boxes and categories - it's one of the reasons I fight infoboxes in architectural pages. The truth here is that Holzhausenschlösschen is a pretty, but unremarkable building (lovely in its vernacular way and worth a page on Wikipedia). However, architecturally, it does not cut the mustard - so really anything written about it's architecture has to be explanatory. It's a hotchpotch of styles, probably limited by budget and plot. You need to concentrate on its function and relevance to Frankfurt today. However, I've asked for a second opinion, so I may well be proved wrong - appreciation and understanding of architecture, like any art, is all a matter of opinion. Giano 18:13, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I'll leave the parameter for now, ready to remove it if we agree that hotchpotch is closest, - the date says something about the period, if not style. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:23, 12 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
