Johann-Joachim Kändler

Johann-Joachim Kändler may be considered the most important German sculptor-modeller of the mid-18th century. Born near Arnsdorf, he served his apprenticeship in Dresden with the sculptor Thomae, then became the assistant of Johann-Jacob Kirchner at the Meissen Porcelain Factory, whom he succeeded as director of the factory’s workshop. In 1731, Kändler was made Court Sculptor of Augustus the Strong. He enjoyed great fame throughout his career. Today some his finest work may be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.