TESSIN, Nicodemus the Younger - b. 1654 Nyköping, d. 1728 Stockholm

Swedish architect, son of Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. He showed artistic talents at an early age and was given an education in mathematics and language at Uppsala. Like his father, he too had completed study tours throughout Europe. In Rome he had close connection with Bernini and Carlo Fontana, whose architecture had a decisive influence on his own creative output.

He took up his father’s position as Swedish court and palace architect in 1681. The Swedish king sent him on a second trip which would last 1677-78 and take him to England and France were prominent architects such as André Le Nôtre and Jean Bérain (1640-1711) had a deep impact on Tessin’s later decorations and gardens. In 1687-88 he traveled to Rome and back to Sweden through Austria and Germany.

His main work was the reconstruction of the Stockholm Royal Palace. Opposite the palace, Tessin built his own town house. During his later life, he played an important role as an administrator and he also produced ambitious city plans for Stockholm in connection to his work for the royal palace.