Skier Karl Hagenauer ca. 1935

Karl and Franz Hagenauer had a well-known fondness for sports, a passion that is reflected 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 artfully crafted sculptures.
This stylized skier figure captures that spirit with charm and humor. The wooden body, reduced to its essential forms, playfully conveys the motion and momentum of a downhill run, slightly clumsy, yet full of energy, with a flowing scarf adding to the sense of forward movement. The head, hands, skis, and poles are made of nickel-plated brass, creating a striking contrast with the warm tone of the wood.
The use of mixed materials, the clear, stylized lines, and the whimsical character of the figure are all hallmarks of the distinctive design language developed by the Werkstätte Hagenauer.