Is that a woman holding a swan? Here stands the Frau mit Schwan statue. It is a captivating piece of art. This statue stands on a plinth and base. It depicts a woman holding a swan towards the sky.
The Frau mit Schwan is not fully visible from the front. This is because it is surrounded by a large bush and a wild flower bed. But when viewed head-on the woman holds the swan out to the observer.
The woman’s form is slightly convex. Her arms are very long. This makes the Frau mit Schwan figure appear smaller than its actual height of 1.84 meters. The statue’s corroded surface is streaked with light rivulets. The statue appears in shades of white, gray, and blue.
René Graetz created this impressive sculpture. He was a notable sculptor. In 1973, Graetz decided to return to figurative representation. He wanted to avoid becoming sterile in an aesthetic formalism. Graetz felt he needed to break away and return to nature.
During this time, Graetz worked on three figures simultaneously. One was a sculpture of Rosa Luxemburg. It was commissioned by the magistrate of Greater Berlin. Subsequently, he received the Patriotic Order of Merit in Silver. He also received the Käthe Kollwitz Prize from the Academy of Arts of the GDR.
The Frau mit Schwan statue is made of bronze. The base is made of clinker. The figure was cast while the base is clad.
Next time you see the Frau mit Schwan statue remember its creation. Think about René Graetz’s artistic journey. Also consider the materials and techniques used to bring this beautiful artwork to life.