Plaster model, bronze-patinated, of the large reclining nude sculpture from around 1920/30
Large plaster model of the reclining female sculpture, wonderfully executed in full three-dimensional form from white marble by Edwin Grienauer, reflecting the style of the 1920s-30s.
The original sculpture executed in white marble is also part of our collection. Please click here for more information.
A stylistically comparable statuette by Edwin Grienauer from around 1920 is in the collection of the Austrian Belvedere in Vienna. This sculpture was exhibited in 1984 at Schloss Halbturn in the exhibition ‘Art in Austria 1918 – 1938 from the Austrian Gallery.‘
The exhibition was dedicated to the art of the 1920s and 1930s, showcasing exclusively art from their own collections. With the presentation of 174 paintings and sculptures, special attention was given to this collection area for the first time.
Edwin Grienauer (1893 Vienna – 1964 Vienna):
Edwin Grienauer was born in 1893 as the son of cellist Karl Grienauer and opera singer Helene Schott in Vienna. He studied at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts, having created his first portrait plaques at the age of 19.
The sculptor and medallist, born into a family of musicians, received his initial training as a sculptor’s assistant with A. Endstorfer and K. Wollek. From 1916 to 1919, he studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna, including under F. Barwig. In 1920, he became a member of the Vienna Artists’ House and was awarded the title of “Professor” in 1935. From 1949 to 1955, Grienauer was a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts and then worked as a freelance artist. Edwin Grienauer created large sculptures for religious and secular buildings, portrait busts, and small bronzes. His work combines a naturalistic representation with the influence of the Vienna Secession.
However, Grienauer gained the most recognition for his cast and embossed medals. From 1928, he designed coin dies for double schilling coins and the 5‑schilling coin; minting from 1934 to 1936, Magna Mater Austriae (Mariazeller Muttergottes). He received various awards, including the bronze medal at the Olympic Art Competition in 1948.
Reference link to the Belvedere collection, click here
Literature:
- Hans Vollmer (Ed.): General Lexicon of Visual Artists of the 20th Century. 6 Volumes. Munich: German Paperback Publishing 1953 – 1962
- Hans Pemmer / Franz Englisch: Landstraßer Häuserchronik. Volume 3 (WStLA). Vienna: 1958 ff., p. 159
- Hans Pemmer / Franz Englisch: Landstraßer Häuserchronik. Volume 4 (WStLA). Vienna: 1958 ff., p. 4, 125 f.
- Franz Planer (Ed.): The Yearbook of Viennese Society. Biographical contributions to Viennese contemporary history. Vienna: F. Planer 1929
- Pappernigg, Michaela (Ed.) / Reiter, Cornelia (Ed.) / Kahler, Thomas (Ed.): Art of the 20th Century. Catalog of the Austrian Gallery of the 20th Century, Vol. 2: G – K, edited by the Austrian Gallery Belvedere, Vienna 1995, p. 59
Web Links:
• Elmar Fröschl: “Eine Biografie des Bildhauers und Medailleurs Edwin Grienauer” (Dipl.-Arbeit). Wien: Universität Wien 2014, Elmar Fröschl: ‘A Biography of the Sculptor and Medallist Edwin Grienauer’ (Diploma Thesis). Vienna: University of Vienna 2014