2857 - Fritz Melis (1913 Berlin – 1982 Bietigheim-Bissingen)

Fritz Melis (1913 Berlin – 1982 Bietigheim-Bissingen) "Three Young Cranes." Original title Bronze, dark brown patina, 1974. Stamped by the Strassacker Art Foundry, Süßen. A work by the renowned animal sculptor, created in the tradition of Classical Modernism. His intention was “to depict each animal as characteristically as possible, as simply as possible, and as true to form as possible.” Melis was already creating animal sculptures as a child; at age 15, he won the City of Berlin’s Zoo Prize for a giraffe. From 1933 to 1936, he studied at the Berlin Academy, among other things as a master student under Hugo Lederer and Ludwig Gies, with whom he later collaborated on the Federal Eagle. Many of his works are located in public spaces: a heron fountain (1961) at the German Embassy in Rio de Janeiro; various crane sculptures have been installed in Bonn, Cologne, Offenburg, Stuttgart, and Wuppertal. H. 48.5 cm. Dark brown patinated bronze, 1974. Cast by Strassacker (foundry stamp).