"Vivienne" by Josef Lorenzl

"Vivienne" by Josef Lorenzl

A beautiful early 20th Century cold painted bronze figure of an Art Deco naked beauty standing in a demure pose, raised on a shaped marble base. Signed Lorenzl and stamped 'Made in Austria' and 'Bronze' to signify this figurine was sold and exported out of the country.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height:                                      19.5 cm                                      

Condition:                              Excellent Original Condition

Circa:                                        1930

Materials:                                Cold Painted Bronze

Book Ref                                   Art Deco and Other Figures by Bryan Catley

Page No:                                   214

SKU:                                           8305

Josef Lorenzl, Austrian 1892 ~ 1950

Lorenzl Vivienne – When looking to the designs of the Art Deco period one talented sculptor and ceramist that cannot be ignored is Josef Lorenzl. A master designer, his bronze statuettes and ceramic figural work epitomise the era perfectly. As with Preiss, Chiparus and Colinet the other great sculptors from this period, Lorenzl was inspired by the female form and the new found freedom that women enjoyed, which he  executed beautifully both in his bronze and ceramic designs.

Although very little is known about Lorenzl’s early life we are aware that he was born in Austria in 1892 and was soon to become one of the most talented sculptors of the Art Deco Period. He started by working for a bronze foundry in Vienna Arsenal where he produced stunning Art Deco bronze statuettes. The majority of his works in bronze and ivory were of singular slim female nudes with long legs which conveyed elegance. His preference was for dancing poses which were not only evident in his singular statuettes but also in those attached to marble clocks, lamp bases and bookends.

After Lorenzl's death on 15 August 1950, his wife Anna (Njura) Lorenzl, destroyed a large number of his figurines.