Franz Xaver Messerschmidt: More Than Character Heads

Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736–1783) is best known for his extraordinary series of "Character Heads" — sculpted busts depicting extreme facial expressions that have fascinated viewers and scholars for centuries. This exhibition goes further, presenting a broader view of the artist's career and revealing the full scope of his achievement as one of the most singular sculptors of the 18th century.

Beyond the celebrated grimaces and contortions of the Character Heads, the show invites visitors to discover Messerschmidt's formal portraits, allegorical works, and the wider context in which his art was created — shedding new light on a figure who defies easy categorization.