# Character Head: The Lecher

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-lecher-r4a88cde06ba7f9>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MESSERSCHMIDT, Franz Xaver](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c>)
- Date: 1751-1800
- Technique: Marble, height 45 cm

## Commentary

Franz Xaver Messerschmidt was one of the most progressive and remarkable artists of his time. He sealed his position in art history at a moment of seismic artistic and cultural transition by abandoning his role as a conformist court sculptor and seeking out new artistic possibilities. Messerschmidt was widely regarded as an unusual personality and lived his final years in solitude. His celebrated series of uncommissioned &#39;character heads&#39; only reinforced his reputation as an eccentric since they displayed an anthology of bizarre grimaces and sneers. After his death, 69 heads were found in his studio. 43 of the original heads are known today.

## Related artworks

- [Busts](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/busts-r4af9cb5a49cd1e>)
- [Character Head: A Hypocrite and a Slanderer](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-a-hypocrite-and-a-slanderer-re6d8f337caa415>)
- [Character Head: Ill Humoured Man](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-ill-humoured-man-rb795ad5e1ca7fe>)
- [Character Head: Incapable Bassoonist](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-incapable-bassoonist-rca1c291c1902e3>)
- [Character Head: The Arch-Evil](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-arch-evil-r91aa89024dbe69>)
- [Character Head: The Beaked](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-beaked-r81825b707bfe97>)
- [Character Head: The Beaked](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-beaked-r9dc1065492fde1>)
- [Character Head: The Gentle, Quiet Sleep](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-gentle-quiet-sleep-r21e07aaf51c372>)
- [Character Head: The Gentle, Quiet Sleep](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-gentle-quiet-sleep-r3f26454423204a>)
- [Character Head: The Hanged](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/character-head-the-hanged-re41998b9b56eb8>)
- [Elijah Increases the Oil of the Widow \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/elijah-increases-the-oil-of-the-widow-detail-r3f572ac08fb289>)
- [Elijah Increases the Oil of the Widow](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/messerschmidt-franz-xaver-r08a0e3c6f6e53c/elijah-increases-the-oil-of-the-widow-r23241cd3b73078>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)