This book examines a famous series of sculptures by the German artist Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736-1783) known as his "Character Heads."

Michael Yonan is associate professor of art history at the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA. He is a specialist in eighteenth-century European art and material culture.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I: Writing the Artist's Mind

Introduction to Part I

Chapter 1: Nicolai's Dreamer

Chapter 2: Kris's Psychotic

Part II: Writing the Artist's Context

Introduction to Part II

Chaper 3: Mesmer's Acolyte

Chapter 4: Lichtenberg's Ally

Part III: Writing the Artist's Project

Introduction to Part III

Chapter 5: The Game of Making

Chapter 6: The Envy of the Gods

Conclusion