Georg Kolbe (1877-1947). Klage, conceived 1921, cast circa 1963. Bronze. 15-3/4 x 21-5/8 x 11 inches (40 x 55 x 28 cm). ...

Description

Georg Kolbe (1877-1947)
Klage, conceived 1921, cast circa 1963
Bronze
15-3/4 x 21-5/8 x 11 inches (40 x 55 x 28 cm)
Incised with monogram on underside of foot: GK
Stamped with H. Noack Berlin foundry mark

Property from the Estate of Anne R. Bromberg, Dallas, Texas

PROVENANCE:
Georg Kolbe Foundation, Berlin, Germany;
Alfred L. Bromberg, Dallas, commissioned from the above, 1963;
By descent to the present owner.

NOTE:
We thank Dr. Ursel Berger for providing invaluable cataloguing assistance. According to Dr Berger, this bronze is an authorized posthumous cast, likely a surmoulage (aftercast) of the original bronze from the estate of the Kolbe family. The lot is accompanied by copies of 1963 letters between Alfred L. Bromberg and Margrit Schwartzkopff, Director of the George Kolbe Museum in Berlin, describing the commission of the work.

Georg Kolbe's Klage (translated as Lament or Grief), created in 1919, is a powerful bronze sculpture that reflects the themes of sorrow and resilience amid the emotional and social turmoil following World War I. As one of Germany's leading sculptors, Kolbe was known for his ability to capture the human form in a way that conveyed deep emotional resonance. Klage exemplifies his approach, presenting the human figure as a vessel for conveying universal feelings of loss, introspection, and, ultimately, perseverance.

The lasting impact of Klage lies in its universality and humanity. Kolbe's minimalist approach to form and gesture makes the sculpture accessible, resonating with viewers through its simplicity and emotional depth.


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