II. - Schloss Schwetzingen

IV.
174
IV. Biographies
b)
Artists (in Alphabetical Order):
Heinrich Charasky (1656-1710)
Nothing is known about the origins and training
of the sculptor Heinrich Charasky (1656-
1710). He had been a resident of Heidelberg
since c.1690, and from 1693 was continually
employed by the Elector, who was intent
on rebuilding his Palatine capital of Heidelberg.
In 1705, only a few years after the foundation
stone had been laid for the new town
hall, Charasky created the Hercules fountain
for the square in front of it and the architectural
ornament adorning a private residence,
the house “Zum Riesen”. 30 He also fashioned
two leaden, gold-plated statues after models
created by Gabriel Grupello, a “Boethian” and
an “Arcadian” Atalante 31 , both of whom were
displayed in the grounds of the temporary
residence at Schwetzingen from the reign of
Elector Carl Philipp at the latest. Elector Carl
Theodor later caused them to be moved to the
new parterre; copies are still on display there.
32
Heinrich Charasky was also employed as an
architectural clerk in the service of Elector Johann
Wilhelm; in this capacity he was responsible
for obtaining materials and for cost control,
and he was involved in the rebuilding of
Schwetzingen Palace between 1698 and 1710.
The fi rst estimate of the costs and work involved,
drawn up in 1699, was largely his work. 33
(Susan Richter)
30 Georg Poensgen, Die Gestalt des Kurfürsten Johann Wilhelm.
Zur Gedächtnis-Ausstellung im Ottheinrichsbau des Heidelberger
Schlosses, Juni- Oktober 1958, p. 15.
31 Both Atalantes were huntresses, and thus companions of the
goddess Artemis/Diana. According to Ovid’s Metamorphoses,
the Arcadian Atalante participated in the hunt of the
Calydonian boar, and was the fi rst to wound it; consequently
she was awarded the creature’s head as a trophy. According
to the Boethian legend, Atalante was a superb runner, and
had taken a vow to marry none but the man who could beat
her. Hippomenes, supplied by Aphrodite with three apples,
challenged her and in the course of the race dropped the
three shiny fruits. Unable to resist the temptation, Atalante
paused to pick them up, losing precious time. Hippomenes
consequently won the race, and married Atalante.
32 Meinrad Büche, Schlossgarten Schwetzingen, Heidelberg 1991,
pp. 21 f.
33 Kurt Martin, Die Baudenkmäler des Amtsbezirkes Mannheim,
Karlsruhe 1933, pp. 24 f.
Paul Egell (1691-1752)
Paul Egell (1691-1752), probably a native of
Mannheim, trained with Balthasar Permoser
in Dresden. He was an accomplished worker
both in wood and in marble. Works by him
can be found in many German cities, among
them Hildesheim, Dresden, Durlach, Speyer,
Mannheim and Schwetzingen. 34
In 1729-1731, he created the famous altar of
Hildesheim as well as a carved Head of Christ
for the city’s cathedral. In 1734, he created the
altar of the Immaculate Conception for the
church of St. German in Speyer, pulled down
in 1818.
Following his appointment to the post of
court sculptor in 1721, he received many commissions
for the Elector’s residence at Mannheim.
For example, he designed the casing of
the grand organ and a number of important
sculptures for the Jesuit church there. 35
The gable of the Schlosskirche at Mannheim,
with its depiction of the Holy Trinity, and the
high altar are his work too. For the interior of
Mannheim Palace, he created numerous works
in stucco. 36
Egell also carved a copy of the “Lycian Apollo”,
again for the Mannheim residence. Elector
Carl Theodor had it moved to Schwetzingen
and put up in the southern bosquet. Today it
has been replaced by a copy, and the original
taken to the lapidarium in the orangery. 37
Paul Egell died on 11th January 1752. In his
capacity as court sculptor, he was succeeded
by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt.
(Susan Richter)
Gabriel de Grupello (1644-1730)
Chevalier Gabriel de Grupello (1644-1730) was
born in eastern Flanders, at Ehrenstein Castle
near Kerkrade. In 1658, he started training
with Artus Quellinus. Later he undertook numerous
trips to Paris, The Hague and Brus-
34 Otto Knaus, Künstler am Hofe Carl Theodors, Schwetzingen
1963, pp. 71 ff.
35 Re. Egell’s work see Klaus Langkeit, Der kurpfälzische
Hofbildhauer Paul Egell, Vols. I and II, München 1988.
36 Ludwig Baron Döry, “Zu Egells Mannheimer Stukkaturen”, in:
Mannheimer Hefte No. 1, Mannheim 1958.
37 Oswald Zenker, Schwetzinger Schlossgarten, Schwetzingen
1989, p. 63.