Hugo Meisel (1887-1966) Large Sculpture

Hugh Meisel (1887-1966) Large sculpture "The fish on the waves" Figure of furniture from the "Porzellan Palais" in Leipzig on the occasion of the spring fair 1921 The oldest porcelain factory in Volkstedt circa 1920 painting at polychrome nail On the back, under the engraved monogram HM, under the blue trademark under glass height: 78.5 cm The fish offered is one of the five known examples of the "Porzellan Palais" in Leipzig, which have been produced circa 1920: An unpainted version belongs to the Hetjens museum collection, another, also unpainted, is at the Grassimuseum in Leipzig, the third is in private property. According to Dr. Christoph Fritzsche, the sculpture proposed here is the only one that still exists with the original staff. Another copy, painted, is the loss of the war. We thank Dr Fritzsche for this information. The Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur experienced an economic and artistic boom at the start of the 20th century. In 1921, the former royal palace was transformed and furnished for the presentation of the Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur as well as for its branches and other companies, including the Hutschenreuther, as the first branch of the Leipzig trade fair. The Berlin architect Hans Poelzig and his future wife Marlene Moeschke were responsible for designing the interior. Within this stylistic framework, Hugo Meisel and Arthur Storch have created a series of at least 16 large-scale animal sculptures which have expressively decorated the rooms of the "Palais de la Porcelaine". The large sculptures from around 1920, which were produced in the company Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanfabrik AG, are a highlight of the work of Thuringian porcelain maker Hugo Meisel. With Arthur Storch (1870-1947), Hugo Meisel received great recognition in 1921 for his collaboration in the design of the building for the trade fair "Porzellan-Palais" in Leipzig. Between 1919 and 1921, the two artists created around twenty models of large imaginative sculptures for this purpose, which were known until then only from the time of Meissen Kändler. In addition, interior designers Prof. Hans Poelzig (1869-1936) and Gustav Partz (1883-1957) designed various porcelain lamps up to 2.50 m high, which also decorated the halls of the palace. According to a press article published in 1921, this fair building with its Thuringian porcelain was the sensation of the time. It is said that "... the staircase shines in bright colors, enlivened by large figures of artistic porcelain animals and candelabras, products of the oldest porcelain manufacturer in Volkstedt ...". Such large porcelain sculptures had not existed since the Baroque animal figures of Meissen by Johann Gottlieb Kirchner and Kaendler. This figurine is one of a series of 16 mythical animals and creatures based on models by Hugo Meisel and Arthur Storch, which were effectively staged in combination with consoles of expressive appearance and majestic lighting in porcelain (designed by the architects Hans Poelzig and Gustav Partz) in the legendary Porcelain Palace in Leipzig. From the spring fair in 1921, visitors perceived this place as a special attraction. While good goods were often lost in the confusion of the fair - a nuisance which, incidentally, also favored the creation of Grassimesse - porcelain manufacturers now present themselves specifically in a fair building. Volkstedt's large sculptures, some in white porcelain, others painted in color, testify by their monumentality and their mixture of stylization and proximity to nature of the will to innovate with porcelain material. Although these sculptures were highlights in the work of their designers, there were probably barely ten designs per model. Inv. n ° 7.504 13.000 € _________________________________________________