Paesschen, Hans Hendrik van

Paesschen, Hans Hendrik van (or Hans Hendrik van Passe) (c.1515–c.1582). Flemish architect from Antwerp, he introduced Italian Classicism to a Northern Europe where Mannerism was pre-eminent. A contemporary of Palladio and de L' Orme, his reputation has suffered because much of his work has been attributed to Cornelis Floris de Vriendt, and he is known by many names (e.g. Hendrik Fleming, Henry Passe, etc.). He appears to have been selected by Floris to prepare drawings for Antwerp Town Hall (1561–6), while Floris carved the sculptures and dealt with the clients. The Raadhuis (Town Hall) contains many Italian themes and motifs, as does the Hanseatenhuis (Hanseatic House), Antwerp (1564–6—destroyed 1893—also attributed to Floris, but probably by Paesschen). If, as seems likely, he was involved in the design of the Royal Exchange, London (1566–8—destroyed 1666), Burghley House, near Stamford, Lincs. (1564–87), and Theobald's Palace, Herts. (1560s–destroyed), he must be credited with the introduction of Italian Renaissance architecture to England before Inigo Jones was born. He also seems to have designed Bach-y-Graig, Tremeirchion, Flintshire, Wales (1567–9—demolished), in which case he was a Renaissance pioneer there too. His connections with England and Wales were made through Sir Thomas Gresham (c.1519–79), founder of the Royal Exchange, friend of the powerful Cecil family, and English agent in Antwerp. He may have had a hand in the design of Osterley, Mddx., just outside London. He began Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark (1574). Later he designed Uraniborg, Hven Island, Denmark (1576), for the astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546–1601); the house was crowned with a dome to aid astronomical observation.

Bibliography

Hubbard (1986);
Millar (1987);
Murray (1985);
Jane Turner (1996);
van Vynckt (ed.)