FRANZ HAGENAVER (Vienna, 1906-1986). "African... Lot 17

FRANZ HAGENAVER (Vienna, 1906-1986). "African Dancer", c.1935. Bronze with dark patina. With stamps on the base "HAGENAUER WIEN" "Handmade" "MADE IN/AUSTRIA" and the firm's logo. Bibliography:-cf. Hagenauer-archive, Vienna: Kalkulationsbuch 4, model no. 9635. Size: 23.5 x 6 x 5 cm. Bronze sculpture with a patina that gives it a black finish. This characteristic, together with the shape of the work, indicates that the author was inspired by the African woman's body, synthesising the forms and stylising them, imbued with an art nouveau aesthetic. This stylised figure, with its graceful movement and dynamic composition, stands out for its elegance. These characteristics ascribe the piece to Art Deco, an artistic style that emerged in 1920 and whose influence continued until the mid-20th century in some countries. It sought to renew all disciplines, championing the value of the technological progress of the time and the new sciences of the day. In this case, the material is traditional, which was not unusual for this style, although it was more common to use materials provided by the new technologies of the time. Another of his sources of inspiration were the early avant-garde movements. The modernity is again evident in the young woman's bold and daring posture. The Austrian designer Carl Hagenauer established Hagenauer Werkstatten in 1898 and produced decorative metal and bronze items designed in-house in the Art Nouveau and Jugendstil styles. His factory, which exported its products worldwide, also produced pieces by independent designers such as E. J. Meckel, Josef Hoffmann and Otto Prutscher. Hagenauer participated in many exhibitions in London, Paris and Berlin, where his innovative designs won numerous prizes. Carl's son Karl (1898-1956) joined the firm in 1919. After Carl's death in 1928, Karl and his brother Franz (1906-1986) expanded the workshop and began modelling and manufacturing African-inspired sculptures.