7077 - Sintenis, Renée

Sintenis, Renée Young Elephant Bronze with a reddish-golden-brown patina. 1926. Approx. 8.4 x 13 x 5.1 cm. Monogrammed “R.S.” on the right hind leg. See Berger/Ladwig/Wenzel-Lent 86; see also Buhlmann 220. "When viewing the 'Young Elephant' from 1926 (Cat. 220), one gets the impression that Renée Sintenis was particularly struck by the animal’s remarkable bulk. The elephant’s legs, which are positioned in a slight striding stance, appear like cylinders upon which the barrel-shaped body rests. Its trunk hangs straight down toward the ground and serves as a support for the head. The animal’s weight apparently allows only this sluggish, ponderous movement. “The smooth surface, which holds the volume together, is enlivened only at the thin areas of skin—the enormous ears—by sculptural notches” (Buhlmann, p. 72). The young elephant appears to weigh a ton, yet at the same time is very delicate and precisely crafted. This is the earliest elephant sculpture in Renée Sintenis’s oeuvre; it is likely the second variant—not mentioned by Berger—which differs slightly in posture and size. Buhlmann noted a possible edition size of 8 or 20 copies. A beautifully nuanced cast with a vividly textured, finely detailed surface and a warm-toned patina. Provenance: Private collection, Berlin - Please request condition reports for the lots, as the condition is usually not specified in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.