Nitzsche, Ferdinand

Trade teacher, theater inspector, illustrator

born: 03.10.1871 in Hildesheim

died: 29.11.1907 in Wiesbaden

Nitzsche graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in Munich and then went to teach at the Wiesbaden Trade School. He worked there until 1897, when - thanks to the patronage of Kaiser Wilhelm II - he was offered a position in the "Technical Association" of the Wiesbaden Court Theater. In 1903, he took over the position of court councillor Ludwig Raupp, who had previously been responsible for the wardrobe department as chief inspector, and who moved to Berlin.

Nitzsche acted in accordance with the Emperor's wishes in Wiesbaden. Wilhelm II preferred history-oriented subjects in both opera and drama, which were to be portrayed on stage as realistically as possible. Nitzsche, who was considered to be extremely talented and skilled in his craft, always familiarized himself thoroughly with the subject matter, studied contemporary fashion, the fabrics and patterns in use at the time and copied them faithfully for each upcoming performance.

In addition to his professional work in the theater, he worked as a painter, draughtsman and illustrator, e.g. for the satirical newspaper Wäsch-Bitt, which was published by Franz Bossong in loose succession. Nitzsche was awarded the Royal Order of the Crown, 4th class.