Johann Baptist Babel

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Johann Baptist Babel (born June 25, 1716 in Pfronten -Ried, † February 9, 1799 in Einsiedeln ) was a sculptor and is considered one of the masters of the Swiss late baroque . He was a cousin of the artists Johann Heel (born August 15, 1685) and Peter Heel (born May 9, 1696), his half-brother, from Pfronten-Ried.

Life

He was the fourth of seven children of the court clerk Hans Babel. He chose a profession as a sculptor at an early age and apprenticed to a sculptor in the area. Since his father died when he was 16 years old, he had to stand on his own two feet at an early age and went hiking as a 19-year-old sculptor. Little is known about the early years of the career. After training as a sculptor, probably with Peter Heel, he learned the craft of plastering from Diego Francesco Carlone, who worked in Einsiedeln from 1730 to 1743.

In 1742 he appeared for the first time as a master craftsman in the cost calculation for sculptures and stucco work, which he presented to Abbot Constantin Müller von Salem for the Alt-Birnau monastery .

On July 27, 1747 he married Katharina Elisabeth Willi (April 1, 1728, † July 4, 1807) von Einsiedeln. The only child of the marriage died before the baptism, so that it cannot be found in any parish register. Due to his marriage, Babel moved to Einsiedeln, where he worked as a court sculptor for Prince Abbot Niklaus II. In 1746 he received the "Order of the Century", around forty stucco figures for the choir and around thirty stone sculptures for the monastery square in Einsiedeln. After the monastery was almost completed, the Solothurn patrician Franz Viktor Augustin von Roll became his new main client, who gave him the first assignment in 1751. As a result, his area of ​​activity also shifted to Solothurn, but he still had a workshop in Einsiedeln. Because Johann Baptist Babel was not only a gifted sculptor and artist, but also a good businessman who knew how to sell himself. For this reason, his field of activity expanded more and more, so that he could also carry out orders in the reformed areas.

On April 5, 1774, after he had earned well in Solothurn, Johann Baptist Babel signed an inheritance contract with his wife Katharina Elisabeth and her sister Helena Willi. On September 7th, 1777 he was accepted into the guild and brotherhood of Einsiedeln. He was active well into old age, as he only made the life-size statue of Nepomuk on the Ezel Bridge when he was 78 years old.

In his last days he had to watch how the French willfully smashed part of his works, including the high altar sculpture, after the invasion of Einsiedeln on May 3, 1798. On February 9, 1799, death released him from his joyless existence.

Works

His main works certainly include the complex group of works in Einsiedeln, where he decorated the monastery buildings newly built by Caspar Moosbrugger .

His second complex group of works can be found in Solothurn, where, among other things, he helped decorate the St. Ursus Cathedral .

In addition to altars and altar sculptures, he also made bozzetti, small sculptures, goldsmith models as well as fountain and garden figures.

Selection of works in chronological order:

  • 1746 On the little choir tower of Einsiedeln's collegiate church, the statue of Benedict (lost).
  • Around 1746/47 in the Einsiedeln collegiate church, choir sculptures, abbot throne and celebrant seat.
  • 1751–53 In the palace chapel in Hilfikon , the high altar.
  • 1755/56 In the Jesuit church in Solothurn , a high altarpiece.
  • Around 1753 In the St. Jost Chapel near Oberägeri , the altar.
  • Around 1757 In the Mainau Castle Chapel , the so-called Black Madonna.
  • 1761 In the collegiate church Einsiedeln, the sacristy altar.
  • 1764–1767 In the chapel of Our Lady in Oberarth , three altars.
  • Around 1767 In the Mother of God Chapel in Bremgarten , a replica of the Hermit Madonna.
  • 1768 The statue on the Pannherrenbrunnen in Schwyz .
  • Around 1771 In the parish church of Baar , the sculptures on the pulpit.
  • 1771–1773 In the parish church of Ettiswil , the figures of the two side altars.
  • 1772–1774 In Solothurn for the St. Ursenkirche, fountain and facade sculptures, tabernacle angels and confessional figures.
  • 1775 In Solothurn at the St. Ursenkirche, a facade relief.
  • 1775–1777 For the town church of Wil , two goldsmith models for the half-length portraits of Saint Nicholas and Saint Agatha.
  • 1776/77 In Sursee for the town church, sculptures on the high altar.
  • 1794 The Nepomuk statue on the Devil's Bridge near Egg .

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. It is believed that he was an apprentice to Peter Heel .
  2. The catalog of works in the book Johann Baptist Babel , includes 118 items