Lot 275: A WHITE MARBLE FIGURE OF THE SOURCE NYMPH OF THE RHEIN, AFTER LUDWIG VON SCHWANTHALER (1802-1848)

A WHITE MARBLE FIGURE OF THE SOURCE NYMPH OF THE RHEIN, AFTER LUDWIG VON SCHWANTHALER (1802-1848) bearing the signature "L. Schwanthaler" to the plinth 90cm. high

Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler, later ennobled as Ritter von Schwanthaler (August 26, 1802 - November 14, 1848), German sculptor, was born in Munich.
As a student at the Munich academy he first purposed to be a painter, but afterwards reverted to the plastic arts of his ancestors. His friend, Peter von Cornelius (1784-1867), was occupied on designs for the decoration in fresco of the newly erected Glyptothek, and at his suggestion Schwanthaler was employed on the sculpture within the halls.