Gerhard Marcks was born in 1889 in Berlin and is considered one of the most important German sculptors and graphic artists. In his early creative years, he first worked with Richard Scheibe, August Gaul and Georg Kolbe. Until the years 1919 - 1925 he headed the pottery workshop at Bauhaus in Weimar, where he also created his first expressionist-influenced woodcut sequences.
Even before he was dismissed by the National Socialists and his art was defamed as "degenerate", he taught the sculpture class at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Halle/ Saale. Later, 1946 - 50 he continued to teach at the Hamburg Landeskunstschule and at the Werkkunstschulen in Cologne. In 1951 he was appointed juror of the art exhibition Eisen and Stahl, since 1955 he was a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts. In 1971, the Gerhard-Marcks-Haus was opened in Bremen, which administers his artistic estate. In 1980, a year before the artist's passing, he was elected as an honorary foreign member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
This outline in a few lines already shows the extensive work of the artist - both as artist and as a teacher. Certainly he has also passed on his view and techniques to create figures to his students and these themselves through the symbiosis of teacher and apprentice can always push further. The pigeon, the falcon and the belt maker come in each case from the 50s and are thus to be assigned to a creative phase of the artist.
Archaic beauty in a concise form
The artist's human and animal figures broke away from the influence of ancient Greek sculpture and initial expressionism. They were directed to simpler and more concise form. Nevertheless, his bronzes bear archaic features and exhibit exquisite lines on. Both birds, the hunting falcon with aiming gaze, pointed beak and equally pointed wings, also how the city pigeon with its slightly curved forms, proves the artist's high understanding of form.
The Roman-looking belt-tying woman lives virtually from her straightness. Standing upright on on a square plinth, she is shown in her robe, ready to tie it at the hip. The folds of the ancient dress are depicted with fine lines, close is it to the body.
The calm face is embraced by folded hair. The artist plays with minimal curves and the simultaneously rectangular posture of the arms - ready to tie the belt.
Gerhard Marcks on 27. Mai in our big hall auction
We are therefore particularly pleased to be able to offer these three great bronzes from Gerhard Marcks in our hall auction on 27. Mai in Essen-Bredeney.
About the lots:
- Lot 43 - Gerhard Marcks - 'Dove'
- Lot 44 - Gerhard Marcks - 'Falcon'
- Lot 45 - Gerhard Marcks - 'Belt Tyer'
All further information about the Auction you can find here!
