Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764-1850) was the most important German sculptor of the Napoleonic era. Trained in the Royal workshop and he became in 1788 the court sculptor workshop and "Director of all sculptures". To the classical Ideal increasingly joined Schadow in realistic, national and individual traits. His style was classically perfect and lifelike for the 19th century.

His art combines a natural sensuality dilating from the Rococo and grace with a great realism. His double statue of Princesses Louise and Friederike von Preussen in marble, is the first life-size double statue of classicism and set standards for the Memorial sculpture of the 19th century. He created the famous Quadriga atop the Brandenburg Gate in copper seamless because the bronze casting technology for large objects could not still find application. In the restoration period, Schadow found realistic classicism of fewer clients and was ousted in 1820 by the official and representative emphasized art of his disciple Caspar Daniel Rauch.

Until his death, Schadow worked as Director of the Berlin Academy and practiced from great influence through his writings.

The term for the art movements that refer to ancient, mostly Greek models.

According to the current understanding, classicism is the epoch between 1750 and 1840 when the late Baroque was gradually replaced by the classically-orientated art. The great explorations of Greek art and architecture at that time awakened a true enthusiasm for antique models. The Glyptothek in Munich, the Panthéon in Paris, The New Guard House (Neue Wache) and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin are just a few examples of the revived classical style.

IThe leaders of the statuary art were such artists as Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen, in Germany Johann Gottfried Schadow and Christian Daniel Rauch.

In painting, the outstanding representatives of this style are Jaques-Louis David or J.A.D. Ingres.

Bronze powder bound by a polymer. By special polishing and patination techniques the surface of the casting gets a look that corresponds to the bronze.

A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.

While sculptures from wood, ivory or stone are made directly from the block of material, for bronze casting a working model is prepared at first. Usually it is made of clay or other easily shaped materials.

The prime time of sculpture after the Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Also the contemporary artists, such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz enriched the sculpture with outstanding works.