Chan, V. “Natural Genius, Inspired Madness, and Romantic Protest – Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s Many Grimacing Faces,“ Arts Magazine, vol. 61, no. 2 (October 1986): 84-93
Franz Xaver Messerschmidt
Born: near Ulm, Germany, 6 February 1736
Died: Bratislava, Slovakia (then Pozsony, Hungary), 19 August 1783
Nationality: Austrian
Died: Bratislava, Slovakia (then Pozsony, Hungary), 19 August 1783
Nationality: Austrian
Background:
family of sculptors and carpenters
Studies:
Academy in Vienna (1755-c.1760)
Career:
1769-74 - Academy member and professor
1775-77 – Munich (court)
1777-83 - Bratislava
Travels
Rome (1765)
Commissions from:
Austrian court
Important Artworks:
Maria Theresa, 1764-66 (Belvedere Museum, Vienna)
Character Heads (self-portraits), 1770-83 (The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles)
A Hypochondriac, after 1770 (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
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