Pocket Art Vexed Man with Sour Expression Caricature Study Statue Messerschmidt

Description

Pocket Art Vexed Man Caricature Study by Messerschmidt Miniature Statue
Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (German, after 1770)
The Vexed Man
is one of a series of portrait busts or "
Character Heads
" made by
Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, an eighteen-century German sculptor active in Austria
. This bust portrays a middle-aged man with a
sour expression
, which seems to fall somewhere between a grimace and a scowl. The most telling aspect may be the furrowed brow above squinting eyes and a scrunched nose. But natural cracks in the bust's alabaster surface seem to echo the topography of his skin, both softened by age yet hardened by the extreme expression. The man's receding hairline, wrinkles, and sagging jawline contrast with tensed cheek and neck muscles. Although the character seems to express irritation and annoyance, it is not certain whether Messerschmidt intended that interpretation, because he did not give the bust a title.
Part of the
Parastone Museum Collection (Mouseion 3D)
of highly collectible figurines based on museum originals.
Includes color description card.
Made from resin.
Measures 3 3/4 in H x 2.5 in W x 2 in D. Weight 1 lb.
This bust and the
series "The Heads"
that it belongs to reflect the intellectual concerns of artists and scholars during the Enlightenment era, when a surge of interest in the sciences occurred. Studies in physiognomy were highly popular at the time. Perhaps as influential was Messerschmidt's undiagnosed mental condition, which could have been schizophrenia. A contemporary wrote that Messerschmidt told him that by making the character heads, he hoped to ward away spirits that invaded his mind.
eMuseumStore
is a leading retailer of
Museum Store Gifts | Historical Reproductions | Cultural Artifact Replicas
About our listing, service expectations, and business philosophy:
Item is
NEW
. Many of our items based on ancient originals -- but you are buying a reproduction / replica.
We
carefully package our items
for safe transport adding sufficient peanuts, bubble wrap, styrofoam, and box support as required by each item.
We ship quickly
. Item will leave our warehouse in Southern California usually same day or the next business day. We ship via the best method for the weight and dimensions of the item including
USPS and Fedex. Each box will have a tracking number
.
We have been online since 1997 and provide outstanding customer support
. We are a small business who want to make you satisfied. If you have any issues, please let us help resolve them through your good communication.
We are happy to help you!!!
In the event you want to
return
the item which rarely occurs,
we accept returns for 30 days
providing you assist us with these requirements:
Item is in new condition
and in its original packaging.
Item is returned
without any damage
. Please carefully wrap your item and send it back via a trackable method.We cannot issues refunds if the item is broken in transit back to us.
Because of transaction costs, shipping is not refundable. If the auction listing has free shipping, we will deduct the amount we spent shipping the item to you from your refund.
You give us a chance to respond
before any negative feedback is posted!
We will help you and want to resolve any issues!!!
We pride ourselves on our fine quality items, timely shipping and good communication.
Thank you for looking at our listing...
And also, please drop by our eBay store called eMuseumStore at http://stores.ebay.com/emuseumstore