Josef Müllner

Austrian sculptor Josef Müllner studied from 1896-1902 at the Wien (Vienna) Academy of Fine Arts. From 1906-11 he was a member of the Vienna Secession, but in 1912 moved to the Vienna Künstlerhaus. In 1903 he received the Prix de Rome, which was associated with a one-year study visit to Italy. He was named professor from 1910-48 at the Wien (Vienna) Academy of Fine Arts, and was its rector from 1926-28, then vice rector, retiring in 1948.

Müllner worked in a neoclassical style and his extensive work depicted a wide variety of subjects including reliefs, busts, war memorials, etc. corresponding to the needs for representation of the expiring monarchy. He stood up to the Nazis without significant modifications, but Müllner’s art works are today highly controversial because of his support of the Nazi’s in the 1938-45 era. He himself never denied his pro-German feelings. Nevertheless, after World War II he was named an honorary citizen of his birthplace of Baden as well as of Wien. The Equestrian statue, also called Equestrian figure or Rider, was created in 1935 as a lead cast for the Olympic Games. Immediately thereafter it was acquired by the Staatliche Museen in Berlin.