Walter Schnackenberg (1880-1961) Male Nude Fencer - circa 1925 (Degenkampfer mit Degen und Lorbeerkranz)

I picked up this desk top bronze of a Nude Male Fencer last night on eBay Germany at a reasonable price. There are a couple of Schnackenbergs, one an American Painter, listed but I believe this particular artist is Walter Schanckenberg (1880-1961). He was a very well know and very talented German artist who specialized in Graphic Arts, poster design. I know he also did small ceramic figures about the size of this bronze and sculpting and casting bronze figures would be the next step. He was born in Bad Lauterberg in 1880. Early on in his young life he found his calling as a draftsman. At age 19 he traveled to Munich where he attended Heinrich Knirr's (1863-1944) painting school before going on to study at the Franz von Stuck Academy. Drawing was indeed Schnackenberg's strong point. His lively imagination made him a superb caricaturist. He drew for the celebrated magazines "Jugend" and "Simplizissimus." During his career he devoted himself mainly to poster art. He traveled extensively and ended up in Paris where he was particularly impressed with the work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. He also designed stage scenery and costumes. He also introduced surreal elements into his works later. This is a nice little bronze for not a lot of money and a nice addition to my collection:
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Caption: Male Nude Fencer with wreath in his hair (Degenkampfer mit Degen und Lorbeerkranz)

Artist: Walter Schnackenberg (1880-1961)

Medium: Cast Bronze

Dated: Circa 1925

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Here are just a few examples of works by this well known and prolific artist:

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Oscar Bodin (1868-1940) The Fencer...circa 1910 ...Male Nude

While I was listing bronzes of the nude I thought I would photograph and list the last few in my collection. Bronzes from the 19th century tend to get expensive so I have to be very selective in my purchases. Unfortunately, I do not have much biographical information on Bodin other than his lifespan. For such a well listed German Sculptor there is scant information on him out there on the web. This is one of the large monumental bronzes of this subject (The Fencer or Mannlicher Akt mit Degen). The additional illustrations below of the same subject are of the smaller (in dimensions) edition of this bronze from 1910.
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Caption: The Fencer

Artist: Oscar Bodin (1868-1940)

Medium: Cast Bronze

Dated: 1910

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Here are additional examples of Oscar Bodin's sculptures:

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Arthur Henri Christiaan Briet (1867-1939) Standing Male Nude

Portrait of Athur Briet (1867-1939)(Umlaut should be on the "e" ..sorry)

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This beautiful charcoal drawing has been in my collection for many years. It came from a Dutch seller. Arthur Henri Christiaas Briet (January 25, 1867 - February 23, 1939) is a very well listed Dutch painter. He was born in Java and between 1884 and 1888 he studied drawing at the Drawing Academy in Antwerp, Netherlands. He was a pupil of J. Hoevenaar Wzn in Utrecht and A. Struys Mechelen in Antwerp. He specialized in figurative works of Javanese dancers, Dutch peasants and landscapes. He is well listed and his works come up for auction frequently. He was a member of the artists "Atri et Amicititiae" in Amsterdam. He lived and worked in Antwerp and Utrecht from 1884 - 1888. He traveled to Paris in 1888 and Naples in 1890. His works are in many museum collections in Holland. This is really a fine example of his drawing skills.

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Caption: Standing Male Nude

Artist: Arthur Henri Christiaan Briet (1867-1939)

Medium: Charcoal on paper

Dated: circa 1884-1888

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Here are but a few of the many examples of Briet's mature works:

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