Female profile head Franz Hagenauer ca. 1977

Among Franz Hagenauer’s most impressive and renowned works are his depictions of human heads. This theme occupied him from the mid-1920s until his death in 1986, accompanying him through all phases of his artistic career. While his early figurative works were almost exclusively full sculptures, by the late 1960s, he began designing heads that appeared nearly two-dimensional. Another innovation was the technique he employed: using a nickel-plated brass plate as a base, he applied tubes and other metal parts to it.
In his portrayal of the female head, he combines profile and frontal views, reflecting influences of Cubist painting. With just a few carefully placed elements, Hagenauer shaped the face, demonstrating his mastery of minimalistic design.