Ohmacht, Landelin

Ohmacht, Landelin, an eminent German sculptor, was born at Dunningen, near Rottweil, in Wirtemberg, in 1760. He studied under J. P. Melchior, and during his earlier years executed a good bust of Lavater, and several sculptures for the Kreuzkirche at Rottweil. In 1790 he visited Rome for improvement, and remained two years in that city, studying and copying the antique and the works of the great masters. On returning to Germany he soon gained reputation, and was employed on several important monumental works. His abilities were highly esteemed by the celebrated sculptor David, who is reported to have said that Ohmacht was the Correggio of sculpture, and that his works could not be sufficiently admired. He executed four monuments in the church of St. Thomas, of which that of Prof. Oberlin is greatly admired. Ohmacht was an intimate friend of Klopstock, and executed several busts of that celebrated poet. Among his classical sculptures are the statues of Hebe, Flora, Venus, Psyche, and the Judgment of Paris. The latter work is at Nymphenburg. Ohmacht practiced the art at Strasburg for many years, and died there in 1834.