Johann August Nahl The Elder

Place: Berlin

Born: 1710

Death: 1781

Biography:

Johann August Nahl The Elder, a German sculptor and stucco worker, was born on August 22, 1710, in Berlin and died on October 22, 1781, in Kassel. Nahl was first taught by his father, Johann Samuel Nahl, who had been court sculptor of Frederic I since 1704. At the age of 18, Nahl undertook a journey via Sigmaringen and Bern to Strasbourg, where he worked for Robert Le Lorrain. In 1731, he went to Paris, then in 1734, to Rome, 1735 to Schaffhausen and then back to Strasbourg.

Early Life and Career

Nahl's early life and career were marked by his apprenticeship under his father and his travels to various cities in Europe. He was exposed to different artistic styles and techniques, which influenced his work. In Strasbourg, he worked for the French royal steward François Klinglin and later on the bishop's palace of Armand-Gaston de Rohan-Soubise. In 1736, he earned citizenship in Strasbourg.

Notable Works

Nahl is the author of the brass made in honour of Maria Magdalena Langhans, a clergyman's wife who died giving birth, in the church Hindelbank in the Ber Canton. This brass was one of the most admired in the 18th century. Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote about the tomb, praising Nahl's work.

Legacy

Nahl's legacy extends beyond his own work. His great-grandsons, Charles Christian Nahl and Hugo Wilhelm Arthur Nahl, were painters of the American Old West. The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister im Schloss Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel, Germany, is a museum that houses an impressive collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, including works by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, and Titian. Visitors can admire over 3,000 paintings, including masterpieces such as The Geographer by Johannes Vermeer and The Family of Pieter Jan Foppesz by Maarten van Heemskerck.

• Visit the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister im Schloss Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel, Germany, to see an extensive collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th century.
• Explore the works of Johann August Nahl The Elder on Wikioo.org.
• Learn more about the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich, Germany, which houses an impressive collection of decorative arts and sculptures.

Nahl's work can be found in various museums and collections, including the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany. His sculptures and stucco work continue to inspire artists and art lovers alike. For more information about Johann August Nahl The Elder and his work, visit Wikioo.org or Wikipedia.