1688 - Barlach, Ernst. *Christusmaske V*. Plaster cast. 1931. Dimensions: 15.2 x 11 x 6 cm.

Barlach, Ernst. *Christusmaske V*. Plaster cast. 1931. Dimensions: 15.2 x 11 x 6 cm. See Laur II 0482, unlisted cast. - An extremely rare, previously unrecorded plaster cast of Ernst Barlach’s (1870–1938) “Christ Mask V.” According to the catalog raisonné, only two plaster or stucco casts are known to exist. However, since three plaster casts are known to exist for each of the “Christ Masks I and IV,” it seems entirely plausible that additional plaster or stucco casts were also made of “Christ Mask V.” A comparison with the clay model preserved in the collection of the Barlach Museums in Güstrow and the bronze cast, as well as with the photographs of the galvanized stucco from the Ernst Barlach House in Hamburg (P 1962/004) suggests that this is an authentic plaster cast of Barlach’s “Christusmaske V”: The contours are sharp, and the details match. The material’s texture is visually comparable to the plaster casts in the Güstrow collection. Only the dimensions differ slightly (clay: 15.6 x 11.2 x 6 cm; stucco: 15.7 x 11 x 6 cm). - On the reverse, there are traces of a previous mounting and a corresponding larger chip, as well as markings likely made by a third party in pencil. - Overall, it is somewhat worn and shows scratch marks, with a few small chips in places, and is slightly soiled. - Provenance: Walter Bauer Collection, Fulda (purchased in 1959).