Joseph Mendes da Costa

The sculptor and ceramicist Joseph Mendes da Costa was born in Amsterdam, the son of the sculptor Moses Mendes da Costa. He was taught by his father initially and later enrolled in art school. He was known for his sculpted ornaments and reliefs for buildings, many of which featured owls and monkeys (they were also prominent in his smaller sculptures and bronze work). His small statuettes were often inspired by the Bible or by the daily life of Jews in Amsterdam.