catalog text
"AMAZONIAN WARRIOR FIGHTING A TIGER" AFTER MODEL BY KARL AUGUST EDUARD KISS (GERMAN, 1802-1865)
In black patinated bronze, signed by foundry to base "Aktien = Gesellsch: / vormi / H. Gladenbeck & Sohn"
Item # 012XIP14S
Born in Germany in 1802, Karl August Eduard Kiss studied at the Berlin Academy under Rauch, Tieck and Schinkel; he would later assist Friedrich Tieck in the monumental Horse Tamers commissioned for the roof of the Altes Museum. Amazone zu Pferde was first exhibited in clay in 1839 with great public reception; with only minor changes, August finished the final version in 1841 after a public collection funded it as a commission to be installed outside of the Altes Museum in Berlin. It was installed in 1845 on the right side of the main staircase and would eventually in 1861 be joined by Albert Wolff's Löwenkämper. In 1851 a monumental casting was made by the Geiss Foundry of Berlin in copper-plated zinc for exhibition at the London Exposition where it won a prize. That casting would again be exhibited in New York at the Crystal Palace in 1853 and the Philadelphia Museum of Art had a life-size monument of the model cast in 1929.
The present model was cast between 1888 and 1911 by Gladenbeck & Sohn, one of the most important and well-regarded foundries in Germany. The company was founded in Berlin by Hermann Gladenbeck in 1851 and in 1857 they expanded operations when they took over the Royal Foundry in Berlin. Gladenbeck was moved to Friedrichshagen in 1887 and the following year they were reorganized as Aktien-Gesellschaft and began to mark their bronzes with variations of Aktien-Ges Vorm H. Gladenbeck & Sohn, which loosely translates to "The Aktien Company, Formerly H. Gladenbeck & Sons". They continued to operate in this entity until 1911 when they became known as Gladenbeck Bronzegieβerei. The company continued to operate until its bankruptcy in 1926.
The drama and energy of the group is palpable, this mythological Amazonian warrior fearless in the face of a vicious foe. Her spear is raised to strike a blow at the heart of the tiger, its body fully engaged with her mount, the muscles taught and claws tearing. The ease with which Kiss captures her figure, the balance of her body as the horse is pushed to the side, the perfect placement of the tiger and the raw realism of the interaction are so effortlessly depicted in his group. It was a natural favorite with both his own citizenry, but also garnered great international awareness of his work. The work remains timeless, a model that
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. VII, Gründ, 2006, p. 1284
- Bronzes: Sculptors & Founders 1800-1930, Vol I, Harold Berman, 1974, p. 67, fig. 314
Measurements: 16 1/8" H x 16 1/2" W (tail to tiger); base is 6 3/8" D x 11 5/8" W (not including rock outcrop)
Condition Report:
Arm holding spear with a very slight wiggle in the joint. Some undulation to the shape of the spear shaft; spear with some discoloration. Very minor patina wear. Trace oxidization to arm holding spear along with figure's back. Overall exceptional condition: cleaned, polished and waxed, a very fine presentation.