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Franz Xaver Messerschmidt 1736-1783Smirking, dim witted, grimacing or disgusted that is how the character studies cast in lead or cut into alabaster appear to viewers: sculptures that do not adhere to any classical ideal of beauty but confront the viewer with a typology of the ugly. The fascinating character heads by the baroque sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt may be indebted to his contemporary Johann Kaspar Lavater, yet, they never cease to amaze with their untimely artistic
Smirking, dim-witted, grimacing or disgusted - that is how the character studies cast in lead or cut into alabaster appear to viewers: sculptures that do not adhere to any classical ideal of beauty but confront the viewer with a typology of the ugly. The fascinating character heads by the baroque sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt may be indebted to his contemporary Johann Kaspar Lavater, yet, they never cease to amaze with their untimely artistic aggressiveness, modernism even, exposing the flip sides of human expression. Messerschmidt, who created conventional portraits of dignitaries such as Empress Maria Theresia or Joseph II while teaching at the Imperial Academy in Vienna, began to turn exclusively to character heads around 1770, a fact that quickly gained him the reputation of a maverick. Having taken early retirement due to a psychological disorder that was never clearly defined, he spent the rest of his life as a recluse in Pressburg. This extensive monograph about an exceptional artist attempts an interpretation of the "deeper meaning" of an oeuvre which is as unusual as it is uncompromising. (German edition available 3-7757-1245-3) The artist: Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (Wiesensteig 1736-1783 Pressburg), born as one of the numerous children in a dyer's family in the area Göppingen/Oberamt Geislingen, Württemberg. Move to Munich in 1746, subsequent apprenticeships with his uncles Johann Baptist Straub, wood sculptor at the Munich court, and Philipp Jakob Straub, sculptor in Graz. In 1755, studies in Vienna; from 1760 work for the imperial court, Vienna. Travels to Rome in 1765. From 1769, substitute professor for sculpture at the academy in Vienna. Moves to Pressburg in 1777.Shipping Notes
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4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 2234 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 3
Sadly, DNF
Format: Kindle
I read this thru KU. I LOVED the synopsis. And then I began reading... and it was a DNF at 68% after picking it up and putting it down several times because I really loved the main female character.
*****SPOILERS*****
Pros:
The world is unique, intriguing and fun. The primary female character is bad-a** but not a b*tech or a mary sue. The primary female has depth. I really want to know what happens to her even tho it's been weeks and I don't remember her name. The villains to the point I read are pretty good -- an ever present threat of mysterious and possibly many culprits.
Cons:
Way, way too many points of view. I stopped counting at 7. It's the prime reason why I don't care about most of the characters or remember their names even when I like them. There's just too many points of view so almost none of the characters have enough book space for the author to properly develop them. This literally killed the book for me. Actually it killed my desire to read. For weeks.
The main male is more villain than hero. He agreed to marry the main female then locks her up & eschews her for her sister, all while bad mouthing her as unfit to rule when he never spent any time with her getting to know her. He is actually unfit to rule as he is blind to the woes of his own kingdom and starts off a peace mission to secure a ceasefire through marriage by murdering an inn full of people in her country for no real reason. Plus, he constantly makes promises he does not keep. And it's gross of him to pine for the sister behind the main female's back.
*****
As much as I really wanted to see what happened to the main female character, it wasn't enough for me to keep trying to slog thru this book. There was a lot of potential here that just fell short.
Hence, 3 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021
★★★★★ 5
Fae Courts with High Intrigue
Format: Kindle
This book is one that just builds and builds and then surprises you to no end. You may think you know the villains and then you are jolted in another direction. Princess Reyna is a real gem, strong of character, a fierce fighter, and loyal to her family and kingdom. Just when you think she and Lorcan, well you know, the plot is flipped. Can't wait to see where this goes in book two.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023
★★★★★ 4
Slow, sorry but good
Format: Kindle
This was a slow moving book. Lots of character pov chapters, lots of superfluous descriptions and endless courtly appearances stalled this book to start. Once you get into the heart of the story, it takes off. Before you know it the book is done. My favorite character is Reyna. She is so strong. She is true to herself. She gets into a lot of trouble with her headstrong ways but it's entertaining. I have high hopes for Lorcan. He is honorable to a fault. Thane had turned out to be better than I thought but i still don't like him. Eislin is useless. Great plot twists at the end. I'm looking forward too book 2.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020
★★★★★ 5
Very detailed! Beautiful world building! Strong Heroine!
Format: Kindle
Starts off a little slow and confusing with different POV’s, but starts to all come together towards the middle to make an elaborate plot line and makes it all worth it. Beautiful world building and attention to detail as well as great writing. The cliffhanger was gut wrenching! Can’t wait for the next book!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
★★★★★ 4
Interesting
Format: Kindle
This was a very captivating book once you got into it thoroughly. But the third person perspective was a bit hard to get used to. But as you got into it and followed the different characters, it was interesting and filled with intrigue, conflict and forbidden love.
I can’t wait to read the next one and to complete the series.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022