Bergmann Statue

Who was this Bergmann fellow immortalized in bronze? Here at the Bergmann Statue in Augsburg, we unravel a tale of artistry, not of the man depicted, but of the remarkable family who cast his likeness. The Bergmann Statue, sculpted by Fritz Koelle and cast in 1937, isn’t about Franz Xaver Bergmann himself, but it owes its existence to the legacy of his Viennese foundry. Franz Xaver Bergmann, born in 1861, inherited his father’s bronze factory in Vienna. The elder Bergmann, also named Franz, had established the foundry in 1860. He introduced the secrets of bronze patination to Vienna after the 1884 World Exhibition in Paris. This knowledge brought the Bergmann foundry fame and fortune. Franz Xaver expanded the business, opening a new foundry in 1900. He wasn’t a sculptor himself. His workshops employed numerous anonymous artists who brought his vision to life. The Bergmann foundry specialized in “cold-painted bronzes.” This intricate technique involved layering dust paints onto the bronze. The paint wasn’t fired, hence the name “cold-painted.” The process often involved women working from home, creating a cottage industry around this unique art form. The foundry’s creations ranged from detailed animal figures, often whimsical and humanized, to Orientalist and even erotic pieces. Some pieces cleverly concealed their more risqué nature. A seemingly innocent sculpture might reveal a hidden erotic figure with the push of a button or the pull of a lever. The Bergmann foundry, thriving at the turn of the century, faced hardship during the Great Depression. It closed in 1930, only to be revived a few years later by Franz Xaver’s son, Robert. It finally ceased operations upon Robert’s death in 1954. The remaining molds and stock were then sold to Karl Fuhrmann & Co. The Bergmann Statue here in Augsburg, though not of Franz Xaver himself, serves as a quiet reminder of the artistry and legacy of this remarkable family. Their “cold-painted bronzes,” a testament to intricate craftsmanship and a unique era in Viennese art, continue to be sought after by collectors today.