Franz Xaver Messerschmidt ( 1736 - 1783 ) was a German-Austrian sculptor. Franz Xaver Messerschmidt s works have been put up for auction numerous times, with realized prices surpassing estimated prices, varying from USD for in to a remarkable record 605166.05 USD for AN IMPORTANT ALABASTER BUST OF THE SO-CALLED "RESCUED FROM DROWNING in 2005 , based on the size and medium of the artwork.