Hans Schwabenthaler died in 1656. His son, Thomas, was just 22 years old when he took over the workshop. He had to provide for his mother and his five younger siblings, so he was unable to travel and learn from other sculptors. Despite this, he secured a major commission five years later, designing the high altar for Ried parish church from 1661. Since he did not yet hold civil rights, Ried Priest Johann Jakob Haurapp had to vouch for him. After Thomas’ marriage to Ried burgher's daughter Eva Vorburger, the family changed its name to Schwanthaler. In 1667, Thomas succeeded in acquiring civil rights for himself and his family. Two years later, he bought a house in what was then Priesterzeile for the huge sum of 380 guilders. The street is now known as Schwanthalergasse. In 1669, Thomas was commissioned by the Ried Beer Brewers’ Guild to carve the St. Florian altarpiece for Ried parish church. His works brought him recognition, renown and many commissions, some far from his home town.

In order to put himself in a stronger position during the dispute that arose from his rivalry with Veit Adam Vogl, Thomas Schwanthaler bought a grant of arms in 1679. This document stated that he was authorised to create works in stone, ivory, wood and bronze. Appropriately for his name, the crest is a swan with a thaler in its beak.

Thomas died in 1707 at the age of 73. In spite of the many major commissions he was awarded, the successful sculptor left his descendants with a mountain of debt, not least as a result of his many legal disputes.

Thomas Schwanthaler is the Inn region’s foremost sculptor from the Baroque era. His sculptures remain artistic highlights of abbeys and churches today. Works by Thomas Schwanthaler can be seen, for example, in

Gmunden

St. Wolfgang

Maria Plain Basilica in Salzburg

and Reichersberg am Inn.