Gentlemen,
Another of Max Esser's fabulous animal portraits, this one a stylized bison, or Wisent. Esser created this work for Hermann G�ring's hunting lodge at Schorfheide. As the Russian juggernaut drove west it was dismantled and buried for safekeeping. Having direct ties to the Third Reich, after the war it was deemed as having no importance as a memorial, but has since been reassembled and is now once again on display.
Max Esser was born in Barth in 1885. At the age of fifteen he began his lessons as a sculptor in Berlin, at the Acadamy of Applied Arts and also took evening classes King's Academic School. In 1903 he studied under the private tutelage of the noted animal sculptor August Gaul, and became an advanced "master sculptor." In 1906 he took part in his first public showing at the Berlin Art Exhibition. Subsequently in 1912 his first major sale was to the Berlin National Galery, as they purchased his sculpture titled, "Pearlhens." At this time he produced numerous animal sculptures for the top names in porcelain to include the Salzburg Workshops, Hutschenreuther, Rosenthal and KPM. Through his personal contacts he was introduced to Max Pfeiffer, director of the Meissen porcelain factory, and began his employment with the prestigious company. During this time up until 1939 he also produced various sculptures for the open space of many Berlin city fountains and parks.
His greatest fame was for his small-scale works of animal art; in 1937 Esser won the Grand Prix gold medal at the Paris World's Fair for his "Fischotter." In the same year he became a member of the Prussian Acadamy of Art and took part in many of its exhibits. With the end of World War II, he died in 1945 in Berlin.
I was lucky enough to recently add the white porcelain, Grand Prix Fischotter to my collection. The following images should certainly confirm Herr Esser's ability as one of Germany's premiere, 20th century animal sculptors.
Hope you enjoy ... and good collecting to all.
Best!
Bill
