[Born at Munich, in Bavaria, 1802. Died there, 1848. Aged 46.]
Most of his numerous and admirable works adorn his native city. His
masterpiece is the colossal statue of Bavaria, cast in bronze, 54 feet
high. The noble head of this figure forms a remarkable object in our
Court of German and English Sculpture. Before its inauguration the
artist had died, having been an invalid for the last fifteen years of
his life. Many casts from the works of Schwanthaler may be found in the
Court of Modern German Sculpture. He had the advantage of being an
excellent classical scholar, and was besides a warm-hearted, unassuming
man, simple in his manners, full of wit and humour, and a true friend.
As an artist he had a fine classic feeling, great spirit and fire, a
strong imagination, a vigorous and creative genius.
[By Xavier Schwanthaler. Marble, 1849. The original is in the
“Ruhmeshalle” (Hall of Fame), at Munich. It was modelled from the life
in 1837.]