Jakob Guttmann (sculptor)
Encyclopedia
Jakob Guttmann was an Hungarian
Jewish sculptor
.
Guttmann was born in Arad, Romania
. In his early childhood he carved toy
s, and in 1833 went to Vienna to satisfy his artistic cravings. Here he became an engraver, and worked for three years with his burin
. He then received a scholarship from Prince Metternich, which enabled him to study at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. He remained here until 1843, receiving awards for an embossed profile in wax of the emperor Joseph II
and for a steel-engraving of Metastasio
.
In 1844 Guttmann produced a bronze statuette of Baron Solomon von Rothschild from a portrait, and was commissioned by the baron to execute a replica in marble. The baron also paid Guttmann an annuity, thus enabling him to go to Rome
. Here he modeled his bust of Pope Pius IX, and completed his masterpiece, Der Blumenspender.
While in Rome, Guttmann was deeply interested in the ghetto
, which he described in letters to his father. Later he went to Paris
; and in 1857 he became insane. He died in Vienna
.
& A. M. Friedenberg
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Jewish sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
.
Guttmann was born in Arad, Romania
Arad, Romania
Arad is the capital city of Arad County, in western Romania, in the Crişana region, on the river Mureş.An important industrial center and transportation hub, Arad is also the seat of a Romanian Orthodox archbishop and features two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a training...
. In his early childhood he carved toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s, and in 1833 went to Vienna to satisfy his artistic cravings. Here he became an engraver, and worked for three years with his burin
Burin
Burin from the French burin meaning "cold chisel" has two specialised meanings for types of tools in English, one meaning a steel cutting tool which is the essential tool of engraving, and the other, in archaeology, meaning a special type of lithic flake with a chisel-like edge which was probably...
. He then received a scholarship from Prince Metternich, which enabled him to study at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. He remained here until 1843, receiving awards for an embossed profile in wax of the emperor Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
and for a steel-engraving of Metastasio
Metastasio
Pietro Antonio Domenico Trapassi, better known by his pseudonym of Metastasio, was an Italian poet and librettist, considered the most important writer of opera seria libretti.-Early life:...
.
In 1844 Guttmann produced a bronze statuette of Baron Solomon von Rothschild from a portrait, and was commissioned by the baron to execute a replica in marble. The baron also paid Guttmann an annuity, thus enabling him to go to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Here he modeled his bust of Pope Pius IX, and completed his masterpiece, Der Blumenspender.
While in Rome, Guttmann was deeply interested in the ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
, which he described in letters to his father. Later he went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
; and in 1857 he became insane. He died in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
Article references
By Isidore SingerIsidore Singer
Isidore Singer was an editor of the Jewish Encyclopedia and founder of the American League for the Rights of Man.-Biography:...
& A. M. Friedenberg