Little girl Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna ca. 1935

In the 1920s, Europe’s population was fascinated by faraway places, with Africa becoming a focal point of mass interest. The Paris Colonial Exhibition of 1931 attracted an incredible 33 million visitors in just six months and had a lasting impact on the art of Expressionism and European arts and crafts. During this time Werkstatte Hagenauer produced its first figures in an African style and enjoyed great success with them. This figure of a girl carved from various precious woods also dates from around 1935. The skin tone is held in a dark walnut wood, while the girl’s dress and eyes, in contrast, are carved of light maple wood. The figure is marked at the base of the plinth and is in very good condition.