Metzner Franz

Wscherau 1870 – 1919 Berlin

Sculptor, self-taught

Started as stonemason in Prague, Pilsen and Berlin. Form 1892 to1903, he worked as modeller for the Berlin porcelain factory; from 1903 to 1907, he taught as professor at the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna; in 1907, he went back to Berlin. Metzner presented his work at the Vienna Art Show of 1908 in two rooms dedicated exclusively to his oeuvre and was praised by critics as one of the most important artists of the time. In his sculptures he places an emphasis on symbolism (will, energy, strength, victory, pain). Between 1906 and1913, he created the statues for the Monument to the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig; also in 1913, he created the figures on the tower of the Palais Stoclet in Brussels for Wiener Werkstätte; in 1909, the monuments of Josef II. and W. A. Mozart in Teplice and, also in 1909, the statues. Metzner created the decoration of the Wiener Bankverein building in Prague, which was built according to the plans of architect Josef Zasche; in 1910, Metzner made the reliefs at the Palace of the Sugar Industry; in 1906, he created together with architect Zasche one fountain each for the city of Jablonec (today: Neu Gablonz) and for the market square in Reichenberg (Liberec).