Bust "Portrait of the Dancer Sent M'Ahesa" (1917), reduction in bronze
Bust "Portrait of the Dancer Sent M'Ahesa" (1917), reduction in bronze
Quick info
ars mundi Exclusive Edition | limited, 199 copies | numbered | foundry hallmark | certificate | bronze | chased | polished | patinated | reduction | size approx. 25 x 17 x 20 cm (h/w/d) | weight approx. 3.9 kg
Video
Detailed description
Bust "Portrait of the Dancer Sent M'Ahesa" (1917), reduction in bronze
The artist Bernhard Hoetger had a versatile style and loved to make use of elements from foreign cultures. Thus, his portrait of Sent M'Ahesa not only bears witness to his intensive study of Egyptian art but also to his impressive ability to transform it in a contemporary way.
Fine bronze sculpture, cast using the Lost-Wax-Process, chiselled, polished and patinated by hand. Directly moulded from the original and reduced in size (reduction). Limited edition of 199 copies, numbered and hallmarked with the foundry stamp. With numbered certificate of authenticity and limitation. Size 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 famous with the pseudonym Sent M'Ahesa at the beginning of the 20th century, combined eccentricity and exoticism. The resemblance between her portrait, created by Bernhard Hoetger in 1917, and the famous bust of Nefertiti is striking. But how could the artist have known her? Although Nefertiti had already been found in Amarna in Central Egypt in 1912, it was only in 1924 that the bust was exhibited in Berlin. Did Hoetger know photos of the bust, or was he even a guest of James Simon, who owned Nefertiti at that 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)
Producer: ars mundi Edition Max Büchner GmbH, Bödekerstraße 13, 30161 Hanover, Germany Email: info@arsmundi.de
About Bernhard Hoetger
1874-1949
Bernhard Hoetger's path to becoming an important sculptor was not exactly preordained. Hoetger was the son of a blacksmith from Hörde, Germany. And the only thing that initially distinguished him from his father's profession was the material he worked on and was forced into shape: before even thinking of an academic career, the son first learned the stonemason's trade. As a mature artist and professor, Hoetger later spoke of his "years of drudgery and slavery", yet it was perhaps precisely this period that enabled Hoetger to master his material to such an extraordinary size and to conquer it in a wide variety of stylistic idioms. Hoetger was stylistically versatile and loved to make use of elements of foreign cultures, even though he shared with Paula Modersohn-Becker, whom he admired, the Expressionist search for a simpler, reduced expression.
An alloy of copper with other metals (especially with tin) used since ancient times. It is an ideal metal for high-quality artistic castings, capable of enduring for millennia.
When casting bronze, the artist usually applies the lost-wax technique which is dating back more than 5000 years. This is the best, but also the most complex method of producing sculptures.
First, the artist forms a model of their work. This model is embedded in a liquid silicone rubber mass. Once the material has solidified, the model is cut out, leaving a negative mould. Liquid wax is then poured into the negative mould. After cooling down, the wax cast is removed from the mould, provided with sprues and dipped into ceramic mass. The ceramic mass is hardened in a kiln, where the wax melts away (lost mould).
Finally, the negative mould is ready, into which the 1400° C hot molten bronze is poured. After the bronze had cooled down, the ceramic shell is broken apart, reavoling the sculpture.
Next, the sprues are removed, the surfaces are polished, patinated and numbered by the artist or by a specialist, following their instructions. Thus, each casting is an original work.
For lower-quality bronze castings, the sand casting method is often used, which, however, does not achieve the results of a more elaborate lost-wax technique in terms of surface characteristics and quality.
Sculptural representation of a person's head and shoulders.
Graphic or sculpture edition that was initiated by ars mundi and is available only at ars mundi or at distribution partners licensed by ars mundi.
A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.
While sculptures made of wood, ivory, or stone are carved directly from the material block, in bronze casting, a working model is prepared at first. Usually, it is made of clay or other easily mouldable materials.
The prime time of sculpture after the Greek and Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Contemporary artists such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz also enriched sculptures with outstanding works.