Engraved in bronze, this plaque commemorates a sculptor. It is the A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque. This plaque honors Arthur Wilhelm Otto Lewin-Funcke. He was a renowned sculptor. The A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque is located at Podbielskiallee 15. It marks his former residence and studio.
Arthur Lewin-Funcke was born in 1866. He died in 1937. The A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque reminds us of his legacy. He made significant contributions to Berlin’s art scene. Lewin-Funcke founded the Berliner Studienateliers für Malerei und Plastik in 1901. This translates to Berlin Studio for Painting and Sculpture. The school was located on Kantstraße. It remained there until at least 1934.
Many famous artists studied at Lewin-Funcke’s studio. These included Paul Citroen and Käthe Kollwitz. David Friedmann and Felix Nussbaum also studied there. Charles Hug was another notable student. Lewin-Funcke’s influence extended beyond his own art. He shaped the next generation of artists.
Lewin-Funcke’s works can be found throughout Berlin. The statue “Hingebung” stands in the Botanical Garden. It is also known as “Devotion.” You can see the “Sandalenbinderin” or “Sandal Binder” at Rathaus Zehlendorf. The “Trauernde” or “Mourning Woman” is at the Dahlem Village Cemetery. These works reflect his talent.
The A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque marks his home from 1911 onward. He lived and worked here. The plaque is on the street side of the house. It is located to the right of the entrance.
Arthur Lewin-Funcke’s full name was Arthur Wilhelm Otto Lewin-Funcke. He used both his parents’ last names. His father’s name was Lewin. His mother’s name was Funcke. He wanted to stand out. The name Lewin was common at the time.
He studied at the Handwerkerschule in Berlin. He also attended the Royal Academy of Arts. Ernst Herter and Gerhard Janensch were among his teachers. Albert Wolff also taught him. He spent time in Italy and France. He studied at the Académie Julian in Paris. Denys Puech was one of his teachers there.
Lewin-Funcke created many sculptures and busts. Some of his metal works were lost during World War II. A figure group called “Luther with Hans and Lenchen” was dismantled in 1943. It was a metal donation. A bronze lion in Eberswalde also disappeared.
Germany’s first war blind memorial stood in Steglitz. Lewin-Funcke created it. The statue showed a naked man. He was carefully feeling his way forward. Blindness was a recurring theme in his work.
His children’s figures were used for character dolls. A boy’s bust from 1898 inspired dolls. These dolls were K&R 102 and K&R 107. The “Laughing Baby” from 1908 became K&R 100. It was called the Kaiserbaby.
The A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque serves as a reminder. It commemorates his artistic achievements. It also honors his contributions to Berlin’s cultural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate the A. Lewin-Funcke Plaque. Remember the artist who lived and worked here.