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Description
Franz Xaver Messerschmidt 1736-1783Smirking, dim witted, grimacing or disgusted that is how the character studies cast in lead or cut into alabaster appear to viewers: sculptures that do not adhere to any classical ideal of beauty but confront the viewer with a typology of the ugly. The fascinating character heads by the baroque sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt may be indebted to his contemporary Johann Kaspar Lavater, yet, they never cease to amaze with their untimely artistic
Smirking, dim-witted, grimacing or disgusted - that is how the character studies cast in lead or cut into alabaster appear to viewers: sculptures that do not adhere to any classical ideal of beauty but confront the viewer with a typology of the ugly. The fascinating character heads by the baroque sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt may be indebted to his contemporary Johann Kaspar Lavater, yet, they never cease to amaze with their untimely artistic aggressiveness, modernism even, exposing the flip sides of human expression. Messerschmidt, who created conventional portraits of dignitaries such as Empress Maria Theresia or Joseph II while teaching at the Imperial Academy in Vienna, began to turn exclusively to character heads around 1770, a fact that quickly gained him the reputation of a maverick. Having taken early retirement due to a psychological disorder that was never clearly defined, he spent the rest of his life as a recluse in Pressburg. This extensive monograph about an exceptional artist attempts an interpretation of the "deeper meaning" of an oeuvre which is as unusual as it is uncompromising. (German edition available 3-7757-1245-3) The artist: Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (Wiesensteig 1736-1783 Pressburg), born as one of the numerous children in a dyer's family in the area Göppingen/Oberamt Geislingen, Württemberg. Move to Munich in 1746, subsequent apprenticeships with his uncles Johann Baptist Straub, wood sculptor at the Munich court, and Philipp Jakob Straub, sculptor in Graz. In 1755, studies in Vienna; from 1760 work for the imperial court, Vienna. Travels to Rome in 1765. From 1769, substitute professor for sculpture at the academy in Vienna. Moves to Pressburg in 1777.Shipping Notes
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4.2 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Our dogs love these
Color: Orange & Blue
We have two rough collies that love to play fetch, tug, and ragdoll. We decided to add these to their play toys. Since getting them they have been ignoring their ducks and going straight for the octopus. We just got them so can’t say much about durability yet but they have been playing with them for hours and still look brand new. Love giving our dogs choices so we can ask them for certain animals to fetch. Love the non-stuffing and the crinkle.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Not for Aggressive Chewers
Color: Orange & Blue
My Dog Loves them. He immediately took the squeaker out, and dismantled some of the legs, but he still runs around trying to play tug-of-war and fetch with the dismembered body piece's 😂☺️
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Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Well made
Color: Orange & Blue
Very durable,great stitching, bright colors,my two dogs however could care less about these Lol my one dog likes balls my other dog seems to only like brown toys
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Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Didn't even last an hour!
Color: Orange & Blue, Color: Orange & Blue
I had high hopes for these toys as the description sounded like they might be not easily destructible. Well, I was dissapointed again. Our shih-poo (half shih-tzu/ half minature poodle) had one of the toys apart in an hour. See photo.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Stuffed with Plastic
Color: Orange & Blue
So these are super cute and they have crinkle sounds and a squeaker, but these would not be suitable for chewers. The have plastic stuffing in the legs and my dog almost choked on it...so I just have to tell you that these may be ok for smaller dogs but mine is 30 pounds and he ripped through it and started eating the plastic crinkle stuffing.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2026