Ernst Barlach: Sculpture 'Russian Beggar II' (1932), reduction in bronze

Bronze after a cast from 1932, which was shown publicly for the first time at the 'Living German Art' exhibition in Berlin in 1933. The trip to Russia in 1906 had released new, form-conscious energies in Barlach, which strongly characterised his further artistic work. With the Russian beggar sculptures, he thus laid the foundation for his further sculptural work. The 'Russian Beggar II' is a highly expressive, meditative figure. The form is framed by the broadly curved outline of the back, which opens up solely through the outstretched hand. In this way, the head, bowed in humility or shame, is connected with the hand outstretched in supplication and becomes an expression of a process that is both spiritual and physical. This hand does not formulate a demand, but a need and request for material and spiritual nourishment. Barlach describes the meaning of his beggar figures as 'symbols of the human situation in its nakedness between heaven and earth'. Sculpture in fine bronze, cast by hand using the lost wax technique and patinated. Directly moulded from the original and reduced in size (reduction). Limited edition of 980 copies, individually numbered and with the signature 'E. Barlach' and the foundry mark. ars mundi exclusive edition. With numbered certificate of authenticity and limitation certificate. Format 14.5 x 26 x 11.5 cm (h/w/d). Weight 3.4 kg.