The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Halbig, Johann

HALBIG, Johann, a German sculptor, born at Donnersdorf, Bavaria, July 13, 1814. He was educated in the academy of Munich, and became professor of statuary there. Since 1835 he has executed the group of lions for the old Pinakothek, the statues of Roma and Minerva in the royal park, and many other important works in Munich and other German cities, in Russia, and in Belgium. He is said to have modelled since 1846 more than 1,000 busts. His most celebrated works are the group of lions at the Munich gate of Victory, and the 18 figures representing the principal states of Germany in the hall of independence at Kelheim; the statue of Christ on the cross in the Campo Santo of Munich (1853); the monument in honor of Maximilian II. in the town (1854), and that at the port, of Lindau; and an allegorical group representing North America for a gentleman of New York. In 1873 he was commissioned by Louis II. of Bavaria to prepare a colossal group of the crucifixion to be erected on the mountain near Oberammergau; and in 1874 he designed a statue of the late king William of Würtemberg for the town of Canstatt.