Michael Brokoff
Encyclopedia
Michael Johann Joseph Brokoff (Czech
: Michal Jan Josef Brokoff, 28 April 1686 in Klášterec nad Ohří, Bohemia
- 8 September 1721 in Prague
) was a Czech sculptor
of the Baroque
era, working with sandstone
.
Michael Brokoff was born as the oldest son of Jan Brokoff
, also a sculptor, and apprenticed in his workshop at first. Later he continued his education by Filip Ondřej Quitainer and possibly also Jan Oldřich Mayer, two distinct sculptors and carvers of the time. After his father's death he took over his workshop for a short time in 1718. He is said to surpass the work of his father by technical excellency although he never achieved the supreme style of his younger brother Ferdinand Brokoff
, to whom he forwarded leading of the family workshop.
Many important sculptures are attributed to him, at least as a co-author: the statue of St. Adalbert of Prague
from 1709 on Charles Bridge
, Prague (in collaboration with his brother Ferdinand), statue of St. Ludmila at Vyšehrad
, Prague, Herculius at the garden of the Kolowrat Palace in Prague, statuary of Virgin Mary in Police nad Metují
, etc. Contrary to his brother, his work is said to be less spatially verbose, the expression of the statues is concentrated into the mimics of the heads, with the gestures of the body somewhat tense.
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
: Michal Jan Josef Brokoff, 28 April 1686 in Klášterec nad Ohří, Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
- 8 September 1721 in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
) was a Czech 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...
of the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
era, working with sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
.
Michael Brokoff was born as the oldest son of Jan Brokoff
Jan Brokoff
Jan Brokoff, also known as Johann Brokoff, was a baroque-era sculptor and carver.Brokoff was of German origin, born in Spišská Sobota, today in Slovakia, then in Royal Hungary, and later working and living in Bohemia...
, also a sculptor, and apprenticed in his workshop at first. Later he continued his education by Filip Ondřej Quitainer and possibly also Jan Oldřich Mayer, two distinct sculptors and carvers of the time. After his father's death he took over his workshop for a short time in 1718. He is said to surpass the work of his father by technical excellency although he never achieved the supreme style of his younger brother Ferdinand Brokoff
Ferdinand Brokoff
Ferdinand Maxmilian Brokoff was a sculptor and carver of the Baroque era....
, to whom he forwarded leading of the family workshop.
Many important sculptures are attributed to him, at least as a co-author: the statue of St. Adalbert of Prague
Adalbert of Prague
This article is about St Adalbert of Prague. For other uses, see Adalbert .Saint Adalbert, Czech: ; , , Czech Roman Catholic saint, a Bishop of Prague and a missionary, was martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic Prussians. He evangelized Poles and Hungarians. St...
from 1709 on Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century...
, Prague (in collaboration with his brother Ferdinand), statue of St. Ludmila at Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is a castle located in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River...
, Prague, Herculius at the garden of the Kolowrat Palace in Prague, statuary of Virgin Mary in Police nad Metují
Police nad Metují
Police nad Metují is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. Metuje flows through the town.-Twin towns — Sister cities:Police nad Metují is twinned with the following towns: Świdnica, Poland- External links :*...
, etc. Contrary to his brother, his work is said to be less spatially verbose, the expression of the statues is concentrated into the mimics of the heads, with the gestures of the body somewhat tense.