Arno Breker Bronze Bust Of Franz Listz

Bronze bust with green antique patina representing Franz Listz (Hungarian composer, transcriber and virtuoso pianist). Resting on a black marble base with white veins. Signed Arno Breker. Foundry stamp HSD " Herbet Schmäcke Düsseldorf "

Arno Breker is a German sculptor, student of the Academy of Fine Arts of Dusseldorf, he moved to Paris in 1926 and became the student of Aristide Maillol. He rubbed shoulders with A. Calder, Jean Cocteau, Foujita, Brancusi, Picasso, Dali. Obtaining the Prix de Rôme in 1932 brought him international recognition. Appointed professor at the Berlin Fine Arts Institute, the Reich commissioned numerous monuments from him. However, it seems that he never adhered to the racist National Socialist ideology but accepted this regime out of "opportunism and megalomania." He is credited with numerous interventions in favor of persecuted artists, including Jean Marais and Pablo Picasso, then a communist. After the war, he created busts of French artists including Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais, the bust of Egyptian President Anwar, and a monument for the King of Morocco, Hassan II. He continued to sculpt until his death in 1991. His eulogy was delivered by the writer Roger Peyrefitte.