2828 - Fritz Behn (1878 Klein Grabow – 1970 Munich)

Fritz Behn (1878 Klein Grabow – 1970 Munich) Crouching Female Nude Light apricot-colored marble. Signed with the ligature monogram “FB” and dated 1918. This stone sculpture features a rare motif by the sculptor, who—since his two trips to East Africa (1907–08 and 1909–10)—became known primarily for his depictions of African wildlife. Behn studied at the Academy in Munich from 1898 to 1900, then joined the circle around the sculptor Adolf von Hildebrand and became a member of the Munich Secession and the German Artists’ Association, founded in 1904. In 1901, he made his debut at the Munich Glaspalast; he subsequently exhibited at numerous shows in Germany and was represented at the Venice Biennale from 1905 to 1909. In addition to animals as a subject, Behn remained drawn to human figures and groups even later in his career, as evidenced by a lengthy article in the prominent journal *Die Kunst für Alle* featuring his expressive sculptures (Vol. 35, 1919/20, Issue 3/4, November 1919, pp. 69–81). Height: 50 cm. Provenance: Ketterer Auction, Munich, November 25, 1991, Lot 72. Light apricot-colored marble sculpture. Signed with the monogram “FB” and dated 1918.