Bust from the choirstall of the Cathedral in Pozsony

myminifactory

While studying for the priesthood at Heiligenkreutz, Donner encountered Giovanni Giuliani, a renowned sculptor who urged him to pursue a career in sculpture, working alongside Giuliani in his studio before enrolling in the prestigious Vienna Academy. For several years, he resided in Salzburg before returning to Vienna, where he created his magnum opus, the majestic Providence Fountain (1738-39), situated on the bustling Neuer Markt. Initially crafted from lead, a technique Donner favored, the figures were later replaced with bronze replicas in 1873. Additional notable works by Donner include the Perseus and Andromeda Fountain adorning the courtyard of Vienna's Rathaus and a regal statue of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI situated within the Belvedere Castle, also in Vienna. The sculptural refinement and clarity of his creations distinctly contrasted with the overwrought Baroque style prevalent among his contemporaries and predecessors, ultimately contributing to a shift towards more restrained and elegant sculptural forms.