Franz Barwig

Franz Barwig the Elder was one of the most important Austrian sculptors at the time of Art Nouveau. From 1888 he studied at the School of Applied Arts in Wien (Vienna). He worked mainly in wood and created numerous animal sculptures as well as nudes, beginning as a woodcarver. He was also engaged in religious art. From 1904-06 he was a teacher at the woodworking school in Villach, later at the School of Applied Arts in Wien. By participating in the exhibitions of the Hagenbund in 1905 he found his own style and worked in the shallow section.

Around 1910 Barwig developed an interest in depictions of animals, for which he carried out studies at the Schönbrunn zoo. He also devoted himself to the art of the Secession and started training with other materials, especially bronze. Beside nudes, he also created portrayals of farmers. In 1925 he became a member of the Vienna Secession and went to Palm Beach for two years. There was some concern that the Olympic artist was the son of the same name, who was also a sculptor, but more recent research has found that it was the father who entered the Arts Competition. Suffering from the effects of a progressive neurologic disorder, Barwig committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol. In the 1927 München exhibition in the Glaspalast a Young man’s figure was shown made of wood by Barwig. This could have been one of his 1928 entries. Both Young man and Speaker date from 1924.