Joseph Simon Volmar
Swiss painter and sculptor (1796–1865)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Simon Volmar (26 October 1796 – 6 October 1865) was a Swiss painter, sculptor and lithographer. He was known for animal painting, especially horse subjects. His public monuments include the Rudolf von Erlach monument in Bern.
Joseph Simon Volmar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 October 1796 Bern, Switzerland |
| Died | 6 October 1865 (aged 68) Bern, Switzerland |
| Known for | Painting, sculpture, lithography |
Biography
Joseph Simon Volmar was born on 26 October 1796 in Bern. He was the son of Johann Georg Volmar,[1] a history and landscape painter who had emigrated from Württemberg.[2]
Volmar was introduced to art by his father at the Bern art school.[1][2] Between 1814 and 1823, Volmar continued his studies in Paris.[1] During his time there, he studied with Horace Vernet and Carle Vernet, and later came into contact with Théodore Géricault.[1][2] In 1824, he returned to Paris for training in sculpture under David d'Angers.[1][2]
In 1823, Volmar married Margaretha Schmid.[1][2] He settled again in Bern in 1832 and became extraordinary professor of academic drawing and oil painting in 1836.[1][2] He died in Bern on 6 October 1865.[1][2]
Work
Volmar worked as a painter, sculptor and lithographer.[3] Before his Paris training, he had already attracted attention in Bern for his horse paintings.[2] In 1822, he contributed six lithographs to Grands Chevaux, a series based on watercolours by Théodore Géricault.[2][3]
Volmar was particularly known for animal painting, especially horse subjects.[1][2] With Andreas-Friedrich Gerber, he co-edited Anatomischer Atlas des Pferdes, published between 1832 and 1834.[1] After returning to Bern, he also painted historical scenes and landscapes.[1][2] His works are held by Kunstmuseum Bern and the Swiss National Museum in Zürich.[2]
Public monuments
Volmar designed the equestrian statue of Rudolf von Erlach in Bern, which was erected on Münsterplatz in 1849 and moved to the Grabenpromenade in July 1969.[1][4] In 1860, he created the Père Grégoire Girard monument in Fribourg.[2]
