Julius Schmidt-Felling

Julius Schmidt-Felling
Born Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling
1835
Berlin, Germany
Died 1920 (aged 84-85)
Germany (presumably)
Nationality German
Known for Sculpture
Movement Realism, Art Nouveau, Art Deco

Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling (1835–1920) was a German sculptor who worked during the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century. The subject matter of his work was wide and varied. He produced, among others, bronze statues of heroic warriors, athletes, blacksmiths, and farmers. A number of his sculptures of young children were in the Dutch colonial style, some being whimsical in nature.

Early life

Schmidt-Felling bronze statue, cast c. 1890, of a Dutch girl holding flowers

Schmidt-Felling was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1835.[1][2] Little is known about his life other than the artwork he produced during an illustrious sculpting career that spanned more than 60 years.

Career

His oeuvre included a wide array of sculptures, ranging in subject matter that included heroic warriors[3] (often mounted on horseback), athletes, blacksmiths, and farmers.[4] He sculpted a number of pieces featuring young children in primarily the Dutch colonial style. His output included some animal sculpture, too, but in lesser volume compared to other subjects. Some of his better known sculptures are small whimsical models of young boys smoking cigarettes and pipes.[1] Schmidt-Felling was a very versatile sculptor.[5]

The majority of Schmidt-Felling's work was cast in bronze and most pieces can be classified as being within the realism or art nouveau genres. Late in his career, however—during the art deco era—he produced a number of chryselephantine sculptures[1] whereby both ivory and bronze were used together in the casting and construction process.

Fellow German sculptors Ferdinand Preiss and Franz Iffland were also successful with this mix of production materials during their careers.[6] Usually, the face and hands of a statue would be carved from ivory while the remainder of the sculpture would be cast in bronze. A large number of Schmidt-Felling’s bronzes, many cast at the NBW foundry in Berlin, feature partial and full nudity.[3][5][7] Schmidt-Felling also employed the Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck foundry for many of his bronze castings.[7][8]

Death

Schmidt-Felling died in 1920,[1] presumably in Germany.

Signature example

Schmidt-Felling signature example

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "‘Fisher Boy’ a Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling (1835-1920) Gilt-Bronze and Ivory Figure (Sale 6414, Lot 443)". Christies.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Julius Schmidt-Felling". BlouinArtInfo.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 "A German Bronze Model of an Archer, Early 20th Century on an Integral Base with Cast Signature". the-saleroom.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Berman, Harold (1974). Bronzes, Sculptors & Founders - Signatures (Vol. 4 ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Abage Publishers. p. 1215.
  5. 1 2 "Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling (German, 1835–1920)". artnet.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Catley, Bryan (1978). Art Deco and Other Figures (1st ed.). Woodbridge, England: Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. p. 395. ISBN 978-1-85149-382-1.
  7. 1 2 Golding Young & Mawer. "After Schmidt-Felling, a cast bronze depiction of nude with belt, foundry marks depicting AKT GES Gladenbeck, Berlin (Lot 8)". the-saleroom.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling (1935-1920), Lot 4143". LiveAuctioneers.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
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