The most famous conductor of Goethe's time: the composer, piano virtuoso and court conductor Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) was appointed to Weimar by Duke Carl August. He was one of the most respected piano virtuosos of his time and a friend of Ludwig van Beethoven. The larger-than-life bronze bust on a rectangular base made of travertine slabs is located at the back of the German National Theater Weimar, today's Sophienstiftsplatz. It was created by the Viennese sculptor and medallist Franz Xaver Ponninger.