Architect in History: Karl Friedrich Schinkel

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Introduction
Over the years, architecture has been one of the major topics. One of the reasons why individuals have continued to discuss architecture is because most of it shows that some instances happened in history. Even though there have been different architects in history, Karl Friedrich Schinkel has remained one of the architects that have remained popular in society. The main reason for his popularity was that his architecture revolved around what was happening during that period and remained one of the outstanding historical features.
Key Events That Influenced Karl's Life
In understanding Karl, it is critical to check his life's critical events and how they shaped his architectural life. Karl was born on March 13, 1781, and his father later died in 1787 due to a disastrous Neuruppin fire. One of the reasons that influenced Karl to become an architect was the notable works of Friedrich Gilly. This prompted him to study in 1798, where he benefited from Gilly's inspiring tutelage for approximately three years. During this time, the Prussian architectural taste was based on the neoclassical style, mainly influenced by Carl Gotthard Langhans, Brandenburg Gate architect in Berlin.[Snodin, Michael, and Karl Friedrich Schinkel. "Karl Friedrich Schinkel: a universal man." (No Title) (1991).]
Later in 1800, he joined the Academy of Architecture in Berlin, where he studied for another two years. Later, he traveled to Italy and France, which played a huge role in transforming his architecture. For example, his extensive travels to these two countries in 1803 played a critical role in inspiring and enhancing his architectural orientations. After returning from Italy to Berlin in 1805, he started earning as a painter. However, there was an event that happened which transformed him to stop focusing on painting and shift to architecture. For example, in 1810, he saw the Wanderer above the Sea of Fog painting by Caspar David Friedrich, which was outstanding. Since he noted that he might never reach this mastery, he shifted from painting to architecture.
Furthermore, Napoleon's defeat also played a critical role in shaping Karl's architectural journey. Since when the defeat of Prussia by the French, there were no prospects of architectural commission at the capital; it gave Karl a chance to produce dioramas and panoramas, in addition to other idealized landscapes and pictures. The following work makes him well-known and attracts Queen Luise's attention. He was commissioned to redecorate various palace –interiors in Berlin and Charlottenburg.[Baran, Mustafa Kemal. "Travelling/writing/drawing: Karl Friedrich Schinkel's architectural journey to İtaly (1824)." Master's thesis, Middle East Technical University, 2011.]
He was also appointed to oversee the Prussian Building Commission after this defeat. This position was an opportunity for him to attain other opportunities. For example, during this period, he was not only responsible for transforming the still and unspectacular Berlin city to become representative Prussia's capital but also a mastermind in oversowing the projects which were expanding the Prussian territories from Rhineland which was at t...