Emil Nolde: Sculpture 'Prophet' (1914), bronze

Together with the Nolde Foundation Seebüll, we were able to realise the work 'Prophet' by Emil Nolde, the bronze edition of a wood carving in original size.'Emil Nolde began his artistic development as a trained wood sculptor and furniture carver. During his trip to the South Seas in 1913/14, he took up the carving technique again and created a small series of sculptures whose elegance shows his familiar handling of wood. In 1921 Max Sauerlandt characterised the sculptures: they are 'all of wood-like unity of body and sparing movement. Under the stimulus of the noble material, the carving lust of the first years of learning has suddenly awakened once again in a new form. Nolde's 'Prophet', also initially called Priest, belongs thematically to the works dedicated to religious and biblical themes. These play a special role in Emil Nolde's oeuvre, they are among the highlights of his life's work and are still considered masterpieces today. In his depictions, Nolde does not follow the Bible to the letter, but rather describes an experience that he describes as being born deep within him, secure and 'inwardly glowing'. 'I had to be artistically free, not have God before me like a steel-hard Assyrian ruler, but God within me, hot and holy like the love of Christ.'I am very pleased that with the excellent quality reproduction of the sculpture 'Prophet', another facet of Nolde's sculptures is becoming known to a select public. (Dr Christian Ring, Director of the Nolde Foundation in Seebüll)Sculpture in fine bronze, cast by hand using the lost wax technique, chiselled and patinated. Moulded directly from the original and reproduced in the original size. Limited edition of 980 pieces, individually numbered. The base (made of bronze) bears Nolde's signature and the foundry mark. ars mundi exclusive edition, published in collaboration with the Nolde Foundation Seebüll. With numbered certificate of authenticity and limited edition. Format 30 x 6 x 5 cm (H/W/D). Weight approx. 1 kg. © 2024 Nolde Foundation Seebüll