A Licking Panther

Hans Martin Ruwoldt (Brunsbüttelkoog 1891 - Hamburg 1969)

Designed 1949/50, made around 1970/80. H. 27 cm. Monogrammed HR, foundry mark GUSS BARTH ELMENHORST. The motif of the licking big cat, which Ruwoldt devoted himself to in designs for a panther and a cheetah, is one of the artist's most successful works. 'Ruwoldt had a natural affinity for big cats. When he saw the black panther for the first time at Hagenbeck Zoo, he was so fascinated by the rare animal that he climbed over the railing, made cat noises, and stroked the panther through the bars.' (quoted from M. Bruhns. Hans Martin Ruwoldt (1891-1969). Sculptures, Reliefs, Drawings. Berlin/Hamburg 1991, page 17) - Literature: Renate Clausen-Gaedke. Hans Martin Ruwoldt. Werkmonographie. Kiel 1991, Seite 282f. - Provenance: Private property, Berlin - German sculptor, drawer and graphic artist, from 1920 studied at the Hamburg School of Applied Arts, 1928-1933 member of the Hamburg Secession, 1955 leader of the sculptor's class at the HFBK Hamburg, primarily known for his animal figures, numerous sculptural works in the public space of Hamburg. Mus.: Hamburg, MKG und Kunsthalle; Schleswig SHLM; Kiel KH; Rendsburg, Skulpturengarten. Lit.: Vollmer IV, Der Neue Rump, R. Clausen-Gaedke: Hans Martin Ruwoldt. Werkmonographie, Kiel 1991, M. Bruhns (ed.): Hans Martin Ruwoldt, Berlin/Hamburg 1991, F. Weimar: Die Hamburgische Sezession 1919-1933, Fischerhude 2003, S. 144.