strange and beautiful

I ventured out to the Neue Galerie in New York last weekend for a show by the 18th-century Austrian sculptor, Franz Xaver Messerschmitdt. The exhibition featured his character heads which I found to be strange and beautiful. Each character appears to be outwardly grappling with their emotions, almost screaming for attention. I’m drawn to the darkness and discomfort of each of these works. They are almost perverse. Interestingly, Mozart made his greatest hits in Austria during this period as well. Perhaps I should freshen up on my Austrian history...