A masterpiece of Italian villa style stands before us. This is Villa Herter a testament to Berlin’s artistic heritage. Built in 1899-1900 by architect Max Ravoth for sculptor Ernst Herter it’s more than just a house. It’s a reflection of a prominent artist’s life and work.
Ernst Herter a renowned sculptor was a member of the Berlin Art Academy. He even taught at the nearby University of the Arts. His works are iconic. They include monuments for Bismarck and Krupp. Sculptures at the Red Town Hall also adorn his portfolio. His creations graced the Fallen Memorial in Spandau Cemetery. Even a Loreley fountain stands as a Heinrich Heine monument in New York. He also received several commissions for Empress Elisabeth of Austria Sisi.
Notice the four-story facade. It showcases a beautiful symmetry. The ground floor features horizontal plaster joints. The first and second floors have three-part windows flanked by horizontal plaster joints and crowned with small gables. The main entrance originally had a wooden covered entrance. This is now uncovered. The relief plates above the first floor are particularly noteworthy. They depict scenes showcasing Herter’s work and his leisure time in art and science. These plates were created by Herter himself. One even shows him with a helmet and coat of arms.
The villa’s rear is surprisingly plain. This contrasts sharply with the ornate street-facing side. The building reflects typical construction around Kurfürstendamm. This includes the cubic outline and floor division seen in many nearby structures. Herter lived in his masterpiece villa for only about ten years. He sold it in 1913. It seems that the multiple floors became too difficult to manage as he aged. His student Gustav Schmidt-Cassel rented the garden studio.
The Villa Herter underwent renovations in 1959. The entrance area and windows were significantly altered. The sculptural work however remained mostly intact. Sadly a waterspout beneath the balcony railing was lost. Today lawyers tax consultants and an accounting and auditing firm occupy the historically significant Villa Herter. This architectural gem remains under monument protection a lasting tribute to the life and art of Ernst Herter.