Gerhard Henning (b. Stockholm 1880, d. Hellerup 1967)
“Stående pige med blomster (Blomsterpigen)” (Standing girl with flowers / The Flower Girl), 1947 (1933). Signed G. Henning. Stamped Lauritz Rasmussen, København. Bronze. Mounted on a granite base. H. 175 cm. Base H. 80 cm. H. in total 255 cm. “Stående pige med blomster” is the first of the three sculptures, the merchant Aage Sørensen bought from Gerhard Henning in the late 1940s and early 1950s. For many years the three sculptures were placed at the Asani Factory in Viborg.
Literature: Dorthe Falcon Møller: 'Gerhard Henning' in “Weilbach, Dansk Kunstnerleksikon, Tredje Bind”, Copenhagen 1995, the sculpture mentioned under 'Værker" (Works). Executed in the following versions: plaster (1942), cement (1943), bronze (1946, Frydenlund), bronze (1947, The firm Asani, Viborg - the present sculpture), bronze (1947 Liseberg, Göteborg, Sweden), Bronze statuette (1933, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen). The statuette version at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (1933) with a slightly different hairstyle. Provenance: The company Asani, Viborg.
The nude female form is the main theme of Gerhard Henning's work, and, along with Kai Nielsen (1882–1924), he stands unconditionally as one of the leading figures of classic, inter-war Danish sculpture. Monumental works by the artist very rarely feature at auction.
“Blomsterpigen” (The Flower Girl) can, in various ways - not least in the counter-pose position - be compared to his main work “Moderne pige” (Modern girl) (1930, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek), which marks the artist's move towards a smaller, antique-inspired expression or what art historian Hanne Abildgaard has called “a leaner, more contemporary nudity (...)” (Dansk Skulptur i 125 år, Kbh. 1996, p. 139). During the 1930s, the artist simplifies his expression, and in his best and most characteristic works - which include the work up for auction - vigor and vitality are united with monumental clarity and calmness.
Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.
Modern paintings & sculptures, 4 March 2014