Guess When?

As part of our vacation to Vienna, my better half and I enjoyed the culture on offer.

For your entertainment, here is a bust.

I had this sculptor's work on my "must see" list.  His head is pulling a great face and is one of a collection of very amusing and expressive faces.

Can you guess from which period of art this comes?

I'll give you a moment...

Here is a random painting to give you some thinking time.  You should know this person as Eugene of Savoy - one of, if not the greatest general of his age and contemporary of the Duke of Marlborough.

Okay! Time is up.

The bust comes from the Baroque Period - mid 18th century.  The sculptor is Franz Xavier Messerschmidt.  He was known for doing busts like this one of the Empress Maria Therese.

Quite a change of style!

In later life, Messerschmidt explored sculpting human expressions. The result is funny and unique for its time.  It's art that really cheers you up!

All of the above are found in the Upper Belvedere.  One of the palaces that Eugene built for himself.  Ahhhh, the fortunes of war. Literally in this case!