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WENTZINGER, Johann Christian - b. 1710 Ehrenstetten im Breisgau, d. 1797 Freiburg im Breisgau - WGA

WENTZINGER, Johann Christian

(b. 1710 Ehrenstetten im Breisgau, d. 1797 Freiburg im Breisgau)

German sculptor, stuccoist, and painter. After his trip to Italy in 1731, he spent the period between 1735 and 1737 at the Paris Académie des Beaux-Arts before setting up in business as an artist in the Breisgau area. Influenced partly by Italian terracotta work, he used the amorphous material of clay to achieve a more direct realization of his sculptural ideas. At the same time, this led him to produce models or maquettes.

From 1745 he worked from Freiburg for Breisgau and the neighbouring regions. Wentzinger’s artistic and social work was honoured by the city during his lifetime with the appointment as honorary citizen and honorary city council. However, the hand of Katharina Egg, daughter of the mayor, was denied him.

Morning Spirit
Morning Spirit by

Morning Spirit

This is one of the figures from the Mount of Olives Wentzinger made in 1745 for the church at Staufen. They seem, as large-scale, free-standing models, like preliminary versions of a composition, while at the same time displaying the sure touch of the virtuoso sculptor in the handling of the material. Not only are the inner emotions vividly represented in the figures, but the colouring creates an almost crude naturalism.

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Vagrant with Canteen
Vagrant with Canteen by

Vagrant with Canteen

This is one of the figures from the Mount of Olives Wentzinger made in 1745 for the church at Staufen. They seem, as large-scale, free-standing models, like preliminary versions of a composition, while at the same time displaying the sure touch of the virtuoso sculptor in the handling of the material. Not only are the inner emotions vividly represented in the figures, but the colouring creates an almost crude naturalism.

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