Johann Gottfried Schadow: Father – Teacher – Art Agent

As head of the Royal Sculpture Workshop, the founder of the Berlin School of Sculpture (17), Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764-1850), trained his oldest son Ridolfo and involved him in the execution of important commissions from an early age. He took a keen interest in his son’s career. When he settled in Rome they remained in close contact by letter. Schadow took care of the marketing of Ridolfo’s works in Berlin and was largely responsible for the lucrative acquisitions and commissions of the Prussian Royal House.

The Princesses Group: The sculpture of the tightly embraced Crown Princess Luise of Prussia and her sister Frederike is one of Johann Gottfried Schadow’s key works. The original from 1795 (Alte Nationalgalerie SMB PK) provoked critique and admiration in equal measure owing to its natural and sensuous execution. The copy shown here (25), manufactured by Albert Wolff (1815-1892) was made around 1889 and was commissioned by the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. (Permanent loan from the District Office of Berlin Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf)

In 2022 various tributes will be paid to Johann Gottfried Schadow at the Alte Nationalgalerie SMB PK, the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin, the Gipsformerei SMB PK (Replica Workshop) and the Schadow-Gesellschaft e.V.