Posted 12 years ago
vetraio50
(756 items)
This figure arrived earlier this week from Europe and (given the state of the box he was in) he 'only just made it' Down Under intact. He is another of the figures by the Italian trained Leopold Anzengruber. This one interests me because of the treatment of the unglazed terra cotta face. The look on the face is almost like a mask and may refer to the Commedia dell'Arte. He is certainly different to the 'Volkstyp' characters I have already in my small collection. The minstrel is perched on a rock much like some other portraits of the naughty but clever Till Eulenspiegel.
Look at the way his feet surround the rock on which he is perched!
I love the mediaeval costume's colours suggested in a really thick glaze. The colour of his bonnet is really vivid. He makes sense all around; a new angle and he reveals a little more humour, a little more naughtiness.
Young Leopold was born in Steyr, Austria on 30 March 1912. Interestingly after leaving school he was trained at a young age in Firenze, Italy. He didn't return to Austria until 1942. After World War II, in 1948, he set up Anzengruber-Keramic by taking over the pottery workshop of Gusti Mundt-Amann 49 Boecklin Strasse, Vienna 2. He made a go it and the business flourished. The modelling of a one of the Three Wise Men in a Nativity Scene - a Moor - interested him and he began working on the design of many Negro and African figures, both male and female. They were a hit and soon became iconic images of the mid-century period. In 1958 the company employed 96 people.
Till Eulenspiegel is an impudent trickster figure originating in Middle Low German folklore. His tales were disseminated in popular printed editions narrating a string of lightly connected episodes that outlined his picaresque career, primarily in Germany, the Low Countries and France. He made his main entrance in English-speaking culture late in the nineteenth century as "Owlglass".
Big plans today?
I'm glad it survived, and my compliments for being the living library.
Beautiful piece so glad it made it ok . Hope you have a great day today in AU I am sure it is warmer than here :-)
very nice piece -- thanks for the info -- have a great day gentlemen
Many thanks to you all!
I overdid it yesterday.
A big day out with Paul's family at the Seven Hills RSL?
Thanks go to epson233, Manikin, PhilDavidAlexanderMorris, czechman, BELLIN68, mustangtony and AmberRose!
Thanks too to Alfredo and Jan Kees!
I hope everyone had a great Xmas!
Many thanks musikchoo!
Many thanks MattyG!
lovely figurine vetraio strikes again!!! well done
Many thanks artislove!
Many thanks miKKo!
Hello Vet,
I'm really enjoying these figures,....if I ever find one it'll be for you
It's snowing here, thick and heavy with a wind to push it along
feel like shoveling?:)
Happy New Year you dear man,
Tonino.
Ciao, Tonino! We've seen the blizzards on TV. Hard times. This morning they showed people cross country skiing in Vermont. Stay safe. I've seen Sean has comevdown with the flu. Regards from cool & sunny Sydney (22C, 72F).
Many thanks toracat!
Many thanks estater!
Many thanks ho2culture!
Many thanks Estater and to you too guyfrmatl!
I can't understand how I missed this.. it's wonderful!.. so full of movement..love everything about it!...:-)
Many thanks inky! Hope all is OK with you!
Yes!...Thank you Vetraio50, all is very ok! with me..you?. just heading off for a 6 mile walk.. maybe not so wonderful after that!...:-/
Hope you made it back! Just back from dinner. Tomorrow it will mean a long walk to take off the excesses of tonight. All's well here in Sydney after the deluge.
Many thanks pops52!
Many thanks CollectiblesUnlimited!
Many thanks SEAN, PRINTSID 'n HO2CULTCHA too!
Many thanks AGHCOLLECT!
Many thanks AIMATHENA & ROYCROFTBOOKSFROMME !!!!!
Hate these pix. I'll have to re-do them !!!!!
Many thanks THOMAS & WINDWALKER !!! !!!! !!!
Many thanks NEWFLD & CISYM !.!.!.!
Many thanks VYNIL !!!!!