Gymnast Franz Hagenauer ca. 1970

Movement shaped into form. This is how one could describe this Hagenauer sculpture in a few words. And as sleek as this sculpture presents itself, one can very well imagine how Franz Hagenauer sketched the figure with just a few strokes. The dancer, or rather gymnast, is a fine example of Franz Hagenauer’s late creative phase, in which he increasingly designed figures almost two-dimensionally flat. Admittedly, he preferred female motifs for his sculptures, what makes this sculpture of a male gymnast noteworthy in particular. In perfect balance, standing on one leg only, he executes his figure. Every movement is meticulous, as if part of a rehearsed choreography. The upright posture, precisely bent leg, coordinated position of the arms and of course the wonderful leotard: this gymnastic freestyle deserves the highest score!