Johann Halbig

Johann Halbig (1814-82) was a German sculptor. He was born at Donnersdorf in Lower Franconia and was educated at the Polytechnic School and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. In 1845 he was appointed professor of sculpture in the Polytechnic Institute, Munich, in which city is a great part of his work. His most notable production was the colossal group of a quadriga and lions on the triumphal arch (1847). He also carved the lions of the Pinakothek and statues of Roma and Minerva in the palace gardens. He made 18 colossal statues representing the leading German provinces of Kehlheim; 60 busts for the Pinakothek (Munich); a statue of King Maximilian II for Lindau (1854); a monument of Count Platen at Ansbach (1858); the monument of Marshal Cachahiba d'Argolo in Bahía, Brazil; a statue of King Louis I for Kehlheim. Among his later works are a statue of Fraunhofer in Munich (1866); an equestrian statue of King William I of Württemberg for Cannstatt (1876); the "Emancipation" group of sculpture in New York (1867-1868|68); and the "Passion" group at Oberammergau (1875). His work is characterized by its decorative quality.