Johan Tobias Sergel

Johan Tobias Sergel, self portrait from 1793. In his arms is his son Gustaf, and at his side his common law wife Anna-Rella Hellström.

Johan Tobias Sergel (7 September 1740 – 26 February 1814), Swedish sculptor, was born in Stockholm.

Biography

After studying for some time in Paris he went to Rome, where he remained for twelve years and sculpted a number of groups in marble, including, besides subjects from classical mythology, a colossal representation of "History," in which are depicted the achievements of Gustav II Adolf before the Chancellor Oxenstierna. It was in Rome also that he modelled the statue of Gustav III, subsequently cast in bronze and purchased by the city of Stockholm in 1796. While primarily a sculptor, Sergel (inspired by English artists like Thomas Rowlandson) also drew several sequential picture stories, considered by many as one of the early forms of comics. Sergel returned to Stockholm in 1779 and continued to produce his works there. Among them are a tomb for Gustav Vasa, a monument to Descartes, and a large relief in the church of St Clarens in Stockholm, representing the Resurrection. He was an important part of the artistic elite in Stockholm and had a relationship with the celebrated actress Fredrique Löwen and was possibly the father of one of her children. He was the brother of Anna Brita Sergel. He died in his native city on 26 February 1814.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.