Louvre Presents First Exhibition of Austrian Sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt

PARIS.- For the first time in France, the Louvre presents a monographic exhibition devoted to the Bavarian-born Austrian sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, active in Vienna and Pressburg (now Bratislava) in the late 18th century. As a court sculptor, Messerschmidt executed portraits of members of the imperial family as well as notable intellectuals of his time, but is most celebrated for his series of violently expressive, bizarre and fascinating “character heads”, whose originality and verve still captivate viewers today. The exhibition [...]

Louvre Hosts a Group of Sculptures by Leading British Contemporary Artist Tony Cragg

PARIS.- As a counterpoint to the presentation at the Louvre of the first retrospective in France devoted to the Bavarian-born Austrian sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736–1783), the museum plays host to a group of sculptures by the leading British contemporary artist Tony Cragg, to be shown in the Cour Marly and the Cour Puget. In addition, the Louvre is pleased to feature a monumental sculpture by the artist, produced especially for the exhibition and displayed under the pyramid. In 2008, [...]

Louvre Pays Tribute to the 18th Century With a Special Series of Four Exhibitions

PARIS.- As part of its 2010–2011 season, the Louvre pays tribute to the 18th century with a special series of four exhibitions. The first of these, Paper Museums: Antiquity in Books, 1600–1800, opened in September, followed by The Louvre in the Age of Enlightenment, 1750–1792, Antiquity Rediscovered: Innovation and Resistance in the 18th Century, and concluding with Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736-1783), which opens in January 2011. Organized around a selection of more than one hundred and fifty major works, Antiquity [...]