Ernst Barlach

Estate of the artist, Güstrow
Private Collection, Germany (acquired from the above circa 1948; sale: Sotheby's, London, 5th February 2007, lot 5)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Ernst Barlach, Ein selbsterzähltes Leben, Munich, 1948, no. 69, illustration of another cast n.p.
Friedrich Schult, Ernst Barlach, Das Plastische Werk, Hamburg, 1959, no. 343, illustration of another cast p. 191 
Carl Dietrich Carls, Ernst Barlach, London, 1969, illustration of another cast p. 88
Anita Beloubek-Hammer, Ernst Barlach, Plastische Meisterwerke, Leipzig, 1996, colour illustration of another cast p. 117
Elisabeth Laur, Ernst Barlach, Das Plastische Werk, Güstrow, 2006, no. 432, illustration of another cast p. 208

Attractive mid-brown patina. There are two small patches of wear to the patina on the figure's left hip and lower back, which appears to have come from an adhesive tape now removed. There is a minor abrasion to the right of the figure's back and some minor discolouration to the patina at the rear of the base. Apart from some mild wear to the patina consistent with age, this work is in very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Der singende Mann is one of the finest examples of Ernst Barlach's bronze sculptures. Executed with the utmost sensibility for form and content, the artist brilliantly renders the singing posture of the figure. The spirit with which Barlach has rendered the singer is highly evocative, capturing a musician at work. Sitting down in a relaxed pose, the singer seems to be practising his notes. Barlach saw the human form as a vessel holding the greatest secret, which he sought to uncover. Effectively, the artist left the human body wrapped in clothing. Only the clothed shape, the sensed rather than the obvious, was able to express the psychic twilight of the human figure as he felt it. Barlach achieves a unique transparency in the present bronze, in which the limbs are covered, but can occasionally be glimpsed through the severe clothing, thus illuminating the entire figure from within. In his dramatic attitude, the singer is filled with powerful expressive emotion, whereby Barlach brilliantly communicates the liberating sensation to the viewer.

The present cast was acquired directly from the artist's estate and was produced immediately after the artist's death. It is also one of the earliest casts stamped with H. Noack Berlin instead of H. Noack Berlin Friedenau.