Hanns Gasser (1817–1868): Sculptor of Viennese Elegance Hanns Gasser, born in Vienna in 1817, was an Austrian painter and sculptor whose artistic legacy resides primarily in his neoclassical sculptures—most notably “The Danubian Mermaid,” a masterpiece that continues to captivate viewers with its serene beauty and masterful craftsmanship. His life’s journey mirrored the turbulent currents of mid-century Europe, marked by periods of intense creativity interspersed with wandering and financial instability, yet ultimately culminating in a distinguished career celebrated by Viennese connoisseurs…