Johann Joseph Christian

Johann Joseph Christian (12 February 1706 – 22 June 1777) was a German Baroque sculptor and woodcarver. His masterworks are considered to be the choir stalls in Zwiefalten Abbey and Ottobeuren Abbey. He was one of the few sculptors to work with wood, stone and stucco; and remains "the most important and versatile sculptor of the late Baroque period in Swabia."

Life Christian was born in Riedlingen, in Further Austria (present-day Baden-Württemberg) to Johann Melchior Christian and his wife Anna Maria Walz. His father was a teacher. His parents had recently moved to Riedlingen from Offingen am Bussen, a village attached to Zwiefalten Abbey. His rare double gift as a woodworker and stucco sculptor was equalled only by Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer.

In 1731 he received an order for the Wilflinger church from the Prince Bishop of Constance Franz von Stauffenberg. In 1744 Christian received a commission to work in Zwiefalten Abbey, Christian died in Riedlingen. Another son, Franz Joseph Christian (1739–1798), became a sculptor and took over his father's workshop in Riedlingen.

In 2006, on the occasion of the 300th birthday of the Christian, the Riedlingen Museum presented a large and widely acclaimed exhibition of some of his works. In conjunction with the exhibition, a wall calendar depicting some of his works was made available to attendees.

Major works Münstertal—St. Trudpert's Abbey (high altar) Ottobeuren—Ottobeuren Abbey, church of the Holy Trinity, (choir stalls and organ reliefs) Wiblingen Abbey—church of St. Martin (choir stalls, created along with his son Franz Joseph) Zwiefalten—Zwiefalten Abbey (choir stalls, high altar, and almost all other sculpture)