How did Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach’s approach to Baroque architecture differ from Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt’s?

Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt represented distinct approaches to Baroque architecture. Fischer von Erlach’s style was characterized by a synthesis of classical, Renaissance, and southern Baroque elements, often resulting in "lofty conceptions" that sought to harmonize historical architectural traditions into a unified whole. His later work, influenced by his study of Palladian architecture, emphasized classical proportions enlivened by rich sculptural decoration.123

In contrast, Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt’s approach was generally perceived as more "pleasing and less demanding" than Fischer’s. Hildebrandt’s style was heavily influenced by the French architecture of Louis XIV and the undulating walls characteristic of Italian late-Baroque architects like Guarino Guarini. He was particularly renowned for his focus on architectural decoration, often articulating building surfaces with "quasipictorial effects" and introducing innovative decorative motifs. While Fischer von Erlach was a significant influence on him, Hildebrandt’s work became widely imitated for its adaptability across various building types, including villas, garden pavilions, and palaces.24