Lot Essay
Born in Württemburg, Joseph von Köpf, largely a self-taught sculptor, worked with Martin Wagner in Würzburg during the 1850s, before spending a period of time in Rome and later settling in Baden-Baden. His work included busts and statues of German royalty and allegorical figures, such as Piety, The Dance, Music, Summer and the present figure emblematic of Winter, which was executed in 1876, during his stay in Rome.