Franz von Stuck  (German, 1863-1928) 

Franz von Stuck (German, 1863-1928) was born in Tettenweis, a village in Lower Bavaria, as a son of a miller. He studied in Munich, first at the School of Decorative Arts, then from 1882 to 1884 at the Academy of Fine Arts. Since he had to support himself, he became an illustrator for the Fliegende Blaetter, a satirical magazine, and subsequently he became known as a draughtsman.

At the age of 26, he had his first public success with a picture that won a medal at the exhibition at the Glaspalast in Munich. Thereafter, he became very successful, attaining fame and fortune early. In 1890, he won a gold medal at the Exposition universelle in Paris, and in 1893, Stuck was one of the founding members of the Munich Secession. In 1895, he taught at the Academy in Munich and had such notable students as Wassily Kandinsky (Russian, 1866–1944) and Paul Klee (German/Swiss, 1879–1940).

Around 1890, Von Stuck turned to sculpture and produced a number of statues and statuettes. The first major work was the Wounded Centaur in 1890, then the Athlete in 1892.

The artist died on August 30, 1928.