Skier Karl Hagenauer ca. 1935

Karl and Franz Hagenauer had a deep passion for sports, a fascination that found expression in numerous works produced by the Werkstätte Hagenauer. From early depictions of skiers and polo players to later figures of boxers, tennis players, and golfers, athletic pursuits were a recurring theme in their finely crafted sculptures.
This stylized skier figure captures that spirit with elegance and vitality. Made from warmly toned wood and reduced to essential forms, the figure conveys the momentum of a graceful downhill run, dynamic yet controlled. A flowing scarf enhances the sense of movement, while the skier’s forward-leaning posture expresses the thrill and speed of the descent. The head, hands, skis, and poles are crafted from nickel-plated brass, creating a striking contrast with the wood.
The combination of mixed materials, clean, stylized lines, and the lively, almost narrative quality of the figure are all hallmarks of the distinctive design language developed by the Werkstätte Hagenauer.