Joseph Max (sculptor)

Monument to Charles IV above the vineyards in Melnik (2006)

Radetzky monument in Prague (together with Emanuel Max), photolithography (1890–1905)

Joseph Calanza Max (the Younger) (also Josef ; born January 16, 1804 in Bürgstein ; † June 18, 1855 in Prague ) was a Bohemian sculptor .

Life

He was the sixth child of the painter and sculptor Joseph (Josef) Franz Max (the elder) (1765–1838) from Bürgstein. He learned from the wood sculptor Wenzel Schuhmann in Prague from 1822 and also attended the Art Academy in Prague . From 1843 he held modeling courses at the Werkkunstschule.

He worked mainly in northern Bohemia and Prague and left behind numerous well-known works that came from his famous sculptor's workshop in Prague. At the suggestion of Franz Kadlik, successor to Joseph Bergler as director of the Prague Art Academy from autumn 1836, the first modern historical monument erected in Prague was created, a statue of Charles IV in the courtyard of Dr. Andr. Neureuter in the "Grosse Karlsgasse". An equestrian statue of Franz I and the 26 figures of the Franzensmonument come from him, the work was realized from 1845 to 1849 together with Joseph Kranner . He then created several life-size stone figures of various rulers for the renovation of the Prague City Hall. At times Joseph Max also worked as a painter.

His younger brother Emanuel (1810–1901), whose training he had largely taken over himself, was also active as a sculptor.

Josef Calasanza Max married the daughter Anna († 1872) of his teacher. He had five children with her, including his son Gabriel (1840–1915), who later became known as a painter.

Works (selection)

• Tomb of the Academy Director Joseph Bergler
• Figures for the tomb of Prince Rudolf Fürst Kinsky in Slonitz
• Tomb for Joseph Max (the elder) in the cemetery in Sloup
• Monument to Charles IV in Melnik
• Monument to Přemysl the Ploughman in Královské Pole , donated by the Nostitz family
• Parts of the Radetzky monument in Prague (together with his brother Emanuel Max, revealed posthumously in 1858)
• Jubilee column of Charles IV in Jean-de-Carro Park in Karlsbad (unveiled posthumously in 1858)

literature

• Constantin von Wurzbach : Max, Joseph . In: Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich . 17th part. Imperial and Royal Court and State Printing Office, Vienna 1867, pp. 166–168 ( digitized version ).
• Rudolf Müller:  Max, Anton . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 20, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1884, pp. 717-725. (covered there in the article on his grandfather).

Web links

Commons : Josef Max  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Literature and other media by and about Joseph Max (sculptor) in the catalog of the National Library of the Czech Republic