The New International Encyclopædia/Barthel, Melchior

BARTHEL, bär'tel, (1625-72). A German sculptor. He was born at Dresden, and studied with his father and with Johann Boehme, of Schneeberg (1640-45), and settled at Dresden, where he was appointed sculptor to the court. His principal works are the colossal tomb of the Doge Giovanni Pesaro (Santa Maria dei Frari, Venice); the statue of John the Baptist (Oratory of Santa Maria, Nazareth); and a tomb in San Giovanni e Paolo, Venice. His numerous ivory carvings in the Green Vault at Dresden are considered superior to his more elaborate works.