Johann Georg Mesmer

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Johann Georg Mesmer (also Messmer ; born March 22, 1715 in Wolfartsweiler , † October 22, 1798 in Saulgau ) was a German church painter of the Baroque in Upper Swabia and Central Switzerland . His son Josef Anton Mesmer was also a well-known church painter.

Life

Johann Georg Messmer was born as the son of Andreas and Katharina Messmer. He grew up with his four siblings on a farm that did not belong to the family. At the age of eleven, the Dominican convent in Sießen , which was located near his home, was rebuilt under the direction of Dominikus Zimmermann . After helping there, Johann Georg Messmer decided to do an apprenticeship with a painter. He joined this in 1732 - Johann Kaspar Kohler , who came from the Bregenzerwald and resided in Saulgau . Mainly altar leaves and panel paintings were made , as well as occasional frescoes . In 1735 he moved to Franz Joseph Spiegler , who had lived in Riedlingen since 1727 . In winter he worked in the workshop, in summer at various workplaces of the master.

On January 23, 1741 he married Theresia Rueschin (* October 3, 1717, † October 4, 1808), whose family came from Constance and now lived in Saulgau. The couple had eleven children: Theodor (* 1741), Maria Ursula (* 1743), Johann Baptist (1745–1797), Joseph Anton (* 1747), Willibald (* 1749), Walburga (* 1751), Wunibald (* 1752 ) and Johann Nepomuk (* 1760), 3 children died early. The residence was Hohentengen until 1756 , after which they moved to Saulgau. They were granted citizenship there because his wife was Saulgau's daughter and he was not harmful to any of the guild members in the city, because “he looked for his bread outside”. In view of the large number of children in the family, the tax for naturalization was reduced from 300 fl to 260 fl.

Between 1740 and 1765 Johann Georg Messmer worked as a barrel painter under Spiegler in the Benedictine abbey of Zwiefalten . His work was, for example, the gilding and painting of the choir grille there. He also worked as a freelance painter. In Zwiefalten he met Franz Georg Hermann , who invited him to work on a new building in Schussenried . The abbot there commissioned Hermann on July 2, 1755 to paint the library room. Johann Georg Messmer, Franz Georg Hermann and his son created the ceiling fresco in 1756/57 within a year. After a recommendation from Abbot Nikolaus Kloos, work for the Premonstratensian Monastery in Weißenau followed .

“From most of my grandfather's pictures it can be seen that he used the works of his masters Spiegler and the painter Kohler, who was then living in Saulgau, as models. He lived very simply, frugally, and tirelessly active in the upbringing of his children and in his art. He died at the age of 84. "

- Meinrad Mesmer, grandson of Johann Georg Mesmer

Works (selection)

Scenery nativity scene Weißenau

literature

  • Georg Hämmerle: The painter Johann Georg Mesmer (1715–1798) and his son Josef Anton Mesmer (1747–1827) . In: Under the auspices of absolutism - city history in the 18th century (= from the history of the city of Saulgau; 9th issue). Saulgau City Archives, Saulgau 1989, pp. 23–28
  • Herbert Mader: Another riddle solved , GPB 14/3, p. 8.
  • Herbert Mader: Who is behind the signature GM? . In: Grünenbacher Chronik from the beginnings to the present .

Web links

Commons : Johann Georg Mesmer  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Remarks

  1. ↑ Lost building, preserved figures for several scenes, placed in the south tower of the Weingarten basilica at Christmas time
  2. ↑ Buildings and figures for several scenes have been preserved, set up in the Weißenau monastery church at Christmas time
personal data
SURNAME Mesmer, Johann Georg
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Messmer, Johann Georg; Sacrifice, Johann Georg
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German church painter of the Baroque era in Upper Swabia and Central Switzerland
DATE OF BIRTH March 22, 1715
PLACE OF BIRTH Wolfartsweiler
DATE OF DEATH October 22, 1798
Place of death Saulgau