Johann Joachim Kändler
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Johann Joachim Kändler (June 15, 1706 – May 18, 1775) was the most important modelleur of the Meissen porcelain manufacture.
Kändler was born in Fischbach near Dresden, Germany. After apprenticing at the sculptor Thomae in Dresden, he became assistant of Johann Jakob Kirchner at Meissen porcelain, and succeeded him as "modelmaster" in 1733 when Kirchner resigned. His models were heavy on rococo style, leading a porcelain trend of the day.
Kändler was appointed court sculptor by Augustus II the Strong in 1731. He became known for his animal sculptures including one of Clara the rhinoceros. His figures of Italian Comedy characters, principally Harlequins, give a more evocative sense of this form of theatre than most illustrations. A sample of such work (1738-43) can seen on the sixth floor, Ceramics, of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Other museums contain Kändler's work include the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Getty Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Rijksmuseum.
After his death at Meißen in 1775, Kändler was succeeded by his assistants Johann Friedrich Eberlein and Peter Reinecke.
Gallery
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Candelabrum from the Sulkowsky service, 1736, Dallas Museum of Art -
Italian Comedy figures, c. 1736-1744, Birmingham Museum of Art -
Nymph with confectionery plate, c. 1737-1741, by Kändler and Johann Friedrich Eberlein -
Lady and Cavalier, 1744 -
Tureen of the Swan Service
External Links
