Johann Joachim Kändler(1706-1775) When Johann Joachim Kändler entered the employ of the court at Dresden in 1723 he began as a sculptor. Later, a year after becoming court sculptor to the Elector of Saxony in 1730, he was appointed modeller at the Meissenporcelain factory. This was where he was to remain until his death in 1775. With his large animal sculptures and delicate figures, Kändler raised the art of porcelain modelling to new heights. As 'Modellmeister' (master modeller), the post to which he was appointed in 1733, he supervised the designs for Meissen tableware. Out of rivalry with the factory's porcelain painter, J.G. Höroldt, Kändler steadily reduced the space for paint work on the factory's services. Indeed, his Swan Service of the late 1730s had no flat surface at all. With the rise of rococo Kändler's influence declined. |
