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Max (Mordechai) Farbmann (April 1, 1886, Solok, Lithuania – April 20, 1950, Israel) was a Lithuanian Jewish sculptor who achieved prominence in Europe, particularly Vienna, Austria, during the early 20th century. He was responsible for designing the Lithuanian Independence Monument.

Farbmann was born in 1886 in Solok, Lithuania, and moved to Vienna at the age of 20 to study sculpture. There, he earned an exceptional reputation, leading the Vienna Arts Academy to purchase one of his works – a singular achievement for a Jewish artist. Among his works were commissioned sculpted busts of prominent European figures, including many leading statesmen, as well as the Lithuanian Independence Monument, which was erected in his hometown of Solok in 1930. Farbmann was a highly versatile sculptor who worked in multiple mediums, including bronze, wood, stone, and ivory. His carvings focused primarily on detail and atmosphere, revealing an intimate knowledge of and appreciation for the subjects.

In 1933, Farbmann settled in Tel Aviv, Israel at the invitation of the mayor of the city. Due to a pre-existing taboo against making images in the Jewish culture due to the Biblical commandment “thou shalt not make images,” he could not continue making a living as a sculptor there and worked primarily as a teacher at the Balfour College in Tel Aviv. Nevertheless, Farbmann continued to create sculptures, focusing more on Jewish themes in his late career. He passed away in 1950.

Today his works can be found all over the world, especially in museums in Israel and Austria.

Education

1917–18 Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna