Franz von Stuck

Franz Ritter von Stuck, born Franz Struck, was a painter, graphic artist, sculptor and architect. He studied in München, first at the art school to become an art teacher, and from 1885 onwards at the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1892 he became a co-founder of the München Secession He was one of the best-known München painters in his time. Initially known for his cartoons such as the “Fliegende Blätter” (Flying Sheets), he became one of the most influential representants of the München Art Déco.

In 1895 he became a professor at the München Academy and was awarded the title of nobility (Ritter) in 1906. As a painter, he preferred nudes and symbolic mythical creatures. Later he turned to sculpturing. His major work, for him the paradigm of his life’s work, was a mansion in Prinzregentenstraße in Bogenhausen, now called Villa Stuck, which has since then been restored as a museum.

The model of the Athlete was created by von Stuck as early as 1892 as his first full-plastic work. The height of the figure is about 65 cm and was part of the artist’s altar with important works, which were placed prominently in his studio. Casts from the period before and after 1906 (elevation to the state of nobility) can be differentiated by the signature. Already in 1904, a cast was purchased for the “Neue Pinakothek” museum in München.