Bernhard Hoetger: Bust 'Portrait of the dancer Sent M'Ahesa' (1917), reduction in bronze, sculpture

The artist Bernhard Hoetger was stylistically versatile and loved to utilise elements of foreign cultures. His portrait of Sent M'Ahesa not only testifies to his intensive study of Egyptian art, but also to his impressive ability to adapt it to contemporary times. Sculpture in fine bronze, cast using the lost wax technique, chiselled, polished and patinated by hand. Moulded directly from the original and reduced in size (reduction). Limited edition of 199 pieces, numbered and hallmarked with the foundry stamp. With numbered certificate of authenticity and limitation certificate. Format approx. 25 x 17 x 20 cm (h/w/d). Weight approx. 3.9 kg. ars mundi exclusive edition. 'The expressive dancer Elsa von Carlberg, who became known at the beginning of the 20th century under the pseudonym Sent M'Ahesa, combined eccentricity and exoticism. The similarity between her portraits, which Bernhard Hoetger created in 1917, and the famous bust of Nefertiti is striking. But how could the artist have known her? Although it had already been found in 1912 in Amarna in central Egypt, it was not exhibited in Berlin until 1924. Did Hoetger know photos of the bust or was he even a guest of James Simon, in whose house Nefertiti stood at the time? It is not only because of this unsolved mystery that the portraits of Sent M'Ahesa are considered icons of Expressionism today. (Dr Katja Lembke, Director of the Landesmuseum Hannover)