Why does this villa look so different? The Wandmalereien Villa Prym Mural is a testament to architectural evolution. Let’s uncover the story behind this captivating building.
The Wandmalereien Villa Prym stands as one of Konstanz’s most representative buildings. It is a highlight along the Uferpromenade. Built in 1877, the Neorenaissance villa gained its Jugendstil paintings later.
Gustav Prym acquired the villa in 1893. Prym, a Kurzwarenfabrikant, made his mark on the villa’s appearance. In 1908, he commissioned Konstanzer architect August Knäble to replace the seeseitigen Gauben. Knäble installed an antikisierenden Schaugiebel. Karlsruher Kunstmaler August Groh then overpainted the facade.
Groh created scenic Wandmalereien. These murals embraced the Jugendstil aesthetic. They featured a flat design that highlighted the facade’s structure. The image program was tailored to the homeowner. The Wandmalereien Villa Prym now told a story reflecting Prym’s life.
The murals depict a hunting scene. This scene comes from the Hubertus legend. It shows the Bekehrung of Hubertus von Lüttich. Hubertus is depicted with a cross-crowned Hirsch. As the patron saint of Kürschner and Metallbearbeiter, Hubertus connects to Prym’s profession. Prym was a Metallindustrieller and Kurzwarenfabrikant. He invented the Druckknopf. The berittene Paar in the hunting party bears resemblance to Prym’s daughter and son-in-law. This emphasizes the biographical aspect of the facade decoration of Wandmalereien Villa Prym.
The architecture of the Wandmalereien Villa Prym combines Neorenaissance and Jugendstil elements. The original structure remains visible despite renovations. The villa has three stories. It is a plastered solid construction with a square floor plan. A flat Walmdach tops the building. The southeastern corner is cut out on the upper floors. This creates a single-story loggia.
The interior has a conventional layout. A staircase connects all floors. Long hallways lead to individual rooms. The ground floor houses secondary rooms. Salons, bedrooms, and the bathroom are on the first floor. The second floor mainly has guest rooms.
The staircase and hallway on the Beletage feature Neorenaissance decorations. The salon ceilings also have this style. The living rooms once had Papiertapeten that are no longer present.
Gustav Prym modernized the villa. He adapted it to contemporary tastes. In 1897, he had the facades repainted. He added manieristischen Schmuckformen. Neubarocke Gauben now illuminate the roof. Changes to the loggia also occurred after Prym acquired the villa. The walls were redecorated. A door was added to the salons.
In 1912, the greenhouse on the west side was expanded. It became a two-story Standerker. The interior design was also updated. The kassettierten Stuckdecken in the salons feature motifs from the Erkerauskleidung. The hallway was repainted with more subdued decor.
A seeseitiger Balkonanbau was added later, before 1958. The surrounding Freibereich is an essential part of the Wandmalereien Villa Prym. The original Ziergarten is no longer fully visible. The former Gemüsegarten has been overbuilt since 1991. The Nebengebäude that bordered the Nutzgarten still exist.
The Ökonomie, a Fachwerkbau, was built at the same time as the villa. It was expanded into a Wohnhaus around 1900/1910. The Gärtner- und Kutscherhaus, designed by August Knäble in 1905/06, showcases Jugendstil forms. A Holzschopf behind the Ökonomie remains part of the ensemble.
The Wandmalereien Villa Prym is more than just a building. It is a canvas that reflects the changing tastes of time. Its walls whisper stories of industry, art, and family. As you continue your walk, remember the Prym family. Remember their contribution to Konstanz’s architectural landscape.