Johannes Benk

His father, János Benk (1814–1895), was a decorative sculptor and stonemason from Osijek.

He participated in several competitions for monumental sculpture, gaining notice with his designs for statues of Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, Beethoven and the Empress Maria Theresa, although none of those designs were realized.

[2] He soon became popular and attracted a notable patron; Baron Karl von Hasenauer.

His major works include a group of allegorical statues, representing Austria, for the staircase at the Hofwaffenmuseums (Court Weapons Museum, now the Museum of Military History) and the Deutschmeister Monument [de], honoring an army regiment, on the Ringstraße.

As part of a project to extend the Apollogasse, his son accepted a payment of 100,000 Krone, and the building was demolished.