[Born 1777. Still living.]
The leading German sculptor of his day--endowed with great imaginative
powers, and excelling in portraits, which, under his treatment, exhibit
truth and nature, intimately associated with poetic elevation. In 1804,
he took his way from Berlin to Rome, and presently secured the
friendship of Thorwaldsen, whose love for the antique greatly influenced
and directed his taste. Whilst at Rome he executed “Mars and Venus
wounded by Diomedes,” a colossal bust of the King of Prussia, and other
celebrated works. In 1811, invited by the King of Prussia to Berlin, he
produced many colossal statues and countless busts. His colossal
“Victories,” for the Walhalla, and the equestrian monument of Frederic
the Great, are well known efforts of his genius. A great
artist--competent to express vigorously, truthfully, and naturally,
historical rather than ideal conception.
[By F. Tieck. Plaster. 1825. Modelled, to be given to his friend
Rauch, but the marble bust not finished. From Lager-Haus.]