Ernst Barlach: Wooden sculpture 'Reading monastery pupil' (1930), reduction in bronze

'Ernst Barlach created a quarter of his sculptural work in wood. Gothic wooden sculptures are simply revelations for me', he said as early as 1909. Barlach carved his almost life-size 'Reading Monastery Pupil', 114.8 cm high, from oak in 1930. The figure, which now stands in the Gertrudenkapelle chapel in Güstrow, is part of a series of works by reading monks. The majestic block of his figure can now also be experienced as an ars mundi exclusive edition in the smaller bronze. Barlach brought back two fundamental experiences from his trip to Russia in particular, which are essential in all genres of his work. This is the human being, fatefully connected to the earth, himself like a plant of the earth. Then there is the wandering, searching human being, the inward-looking and listening person. In his sculpture, Barlach depicts this transformation from the heaviness of the earth into the spiritual. It is the possible transformation of every human being, the basic tenor of his impressive work 'Reading Monastery Student'. Here sits a young man, who is receiving the best possible education in a monastery school, with his eyes almost closed, because he can only find the answers to his search for meaning within himself. The word he has read has not passed him by. It has drawn close to him, has penetrated his form and his face as the real meaning of his existence, as the solid, the unbreakable. The reading monastery student has grasped the word of truth in the moment of a world second, the question that will possibly determine his whole life, who are you?' (Dr Friedhelm Häring, former museum director and curator)Sculpture in fine bronze, cast in the lost wax process and chiselled, polished and patinated by hand. 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. With numbered certificate of authenticity and limitation certificate. Size 24 x 15.5 x 9 cm (h/w/d). Weight approx. 4 kg. ars mundi exclusive edition.