Representation of one of Messerschmidt's 55 character heads, posthumously named Yawner Man" - the furrowed brow and tight facial expression demonstrate Messerschmidt's profound talent at capturing a human gesture. Xavier Messerschmidt (1736-1783) learned the basics of Sculpture in Munich from his uncle Johann Baptist Straub, a prominent Rococo Sculptor. Messerschmidt continued his education at the Academy of the Arts in Vienna.