In his sculptural works, Franz Hagenauer responded to various international avant-garde movements of the early 20th century. By reducing forms to basic geometric shapes with only the faintest suggestion of detail, his heads and busts crafted from chased metal echo the formal language of artists like Constantin Brâncuși and Amedeo Modigliani, as well as French Cubist painting.
The mask-like face of our female bust—defined by a single line outlining the eyebrow and bridge of the nose—recalls cult objects from diverse cultures, which many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century drew upon as inspiration for their increasingly abstract expressions. The pearl necklace and the delicately applied strands of hair introduce a hint of realism and feminine elegance, serving as a counterpoint to the abstraction.
The bust is characterized by ist reduction to a clear, pure, and objective form, coupled with Hagenauer’s commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship.