Johann Nepomuk Schaller

His most famous work is a bust of Ludwig van Beethoven at age 55, created at the request of the composer's secretary Karl Holz in 1825.

From 1789, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna where he studied under Hubert Maurer.

Despite his turn to sculpture, he retained his love for porcelain and acted as an artistic advisor to the factory for the rest of his life.

From 1812 to 1823 he lived in Rome on a grant from Prince Metternich, obtained for him by a patron, Count Carl Ludwig Cobenzl.

[1] While there, he became familiar with the Nazarene movement, as well as making professional contact with Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen.