Kaendler, Johann Joachim

Born: 1706

Death: 1775

Biography:

Johann Joachim Kändler (June 15, 1706 – May 18, 1775) was a German sculptor who became the most important modeller of the Meissen porcelain manufactury. He worked at Meissen for over 40 years, from 1731 until his death in 1775. Kändler's professional life began as an apprentice under the important Dresden court sculptor and altar carver Johann Benjamin Thomae (1682–1751). Already at this time he showed much skill, which led to him being given important tasks. His talent did not remain unnoticed and on 22 June 1731 at the age of 25, he was appointed court sculptor by Augustus II and installed as a modeller at the Meissen porcelain manufactory. There he became assistant to Johann Jacob Kirchner, and succeeded him as 'modelmaster' in 1733 when Kirchner resigned. His early porcelain animal groups combine a forceful impression of nature with the influence of Dresden sculpture. Later, Kändler was in charge of sculptural shaping and finally became an 'arcanist', admitted to the secrets of the formula for porcelain. The summit of his career in official terms was his appointment as Court Commissioner in 1749.