Leo von Klenze

Leo von Klenze was a German architect and painter, best known as one of the leading architects of nineteenth century Munich. Born in 1784, he designed grand museums and public buildings in a classical style for the kings of Bavaria, helping turn Munich into a showcase of Greek-inspired architecture. He was also a gifted painter of landscapes and architectural scenes.

His paintings often show idealized views of ancient Greece and Italy, imagining classical buildings in glowing Mediterranean light, along with careful studies made on his travels. They reflect his deep love of the ancient world. Von Klenze is remembered chiefly as an architect, but his elegant paintings reveal the same passion for classical beauty that shaped his buildings.