This exhibition at the Belvedere presents sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736–1783) as an artist at a pivotal historical moment. It examines his portraits of notable figures and re-evaluates his famous 'Character Heads' as a phenomenon of their time, exploring the myths surrounding him and his art.
The Belvedere is showcasing Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736–1783), an artist whose work reflects a significant cultural and political turning point. His portraits of contemporaries, including members of the court, aristocracy, scholars, scientists, and writers, reveal the societal ideas of the Enlightenment and the burgeoning focus on individuality, moving away from Baroque representation.
The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on Messerschmidt's renowned 'Character Heads,' created from around 1770. It challenges the long-standing psychopathological interpretations by situating these works within the profound social and scientific shifts of the eighteenth century. By exploring the discourse around facial expression studies and comparing Messerschmidt's pieces with those of artists like Joseph Ducreux, William Hogarth, and Jakob Matthias Schmutzer, the exhibition highlights the period's broader fascination with the human face and its variations. The exhibition also delves into the many myths that shroud Messerschmidt and his unique artistic legacy.
