Felix Georg Pfeifer (9 November 1871, Leipzig – 6 March 1945, Leipzig) was a German sculptor and

medallist A medalist (or medallist) is an artist who designs medals, plaquettes, badges, metal medallions, coins and similar small works in relief in metal. Historically, medalists were typically also involved in producing their designs, and were usually e ...

Biography

Pfeifer was the third son of six children born to the businessman, Friedrich Eduard Pfeifer. From 1890 to 1893, he studied at the

Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB) or Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig is one of the oldest art schools in Germany, dating back to 1764. The school has four colleges specializing in fine arts, graphic design, photography and new media a ...

with , then transferred to the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin, where his instructors included

Peter Breuer Peter Christian Breuer (19 May 1856, Cologne – 1 May 1930, Berlin) was a German sculptor. He was a professor at the Prussian Academy of Arts (later, the Academy of Arts, Berlin) and was considered to be one of the pioneers of modern sculpture ...

and

Ernst Herter Ernst Gustav Herter (14 May 1846, Berlin – 19 December 1917, Berlin) was a German sculptor. He specialized in creating statues of mythological figures. Life and work Herter studied at the Academy of Arts in Berlin and later also as apprent ...

. This was followed by a study trip to Rome, where Pfeifer worked with

Eugen Diederichs Eugen Diederichs (June 22, 1867 – September 10, 1930) was a German publisher born in Löbitz, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Prussian Province of Saxony. Diederichs started his publishing company in Florence, Italy, in 1896. He moved on to Leipzi ...

and his associates. After a stay in Paris, he was in Dresden from 1906 to 1911, becoming one of the cofounders of the (Artists' Association). Pfeifer returned to Leipzig at the start of World War I, working as a freelance sculptor. Inspired by the literary works of Richard Dehmel, Pfeifer‘s sculptures often dealt with the subjects of friendship and love. His first major group sculpture, ''Erste Liebe'' (First Love) was purchased by the government of Saxony, leading to a series of important commissions. These included four alabaster reliefs for the choir at St. Nicholas Church, reliefs on the portal of the New Town Hall, and three figures for the entrance of the . One of Pfeifer’s most familiar figures, "Genesung" (convalescence, or recovery), was originally created for the fountain at the (a health insurance company). It was recast in 1936 for the

Bundesgartenschau The Bundesgartenschau BUGA is a biennial federal horticulture show in Germany. It also covers topics like landscaping. Taking place in different cities, the location changes in a two-year cycle. BUGA cities *1951 – Hannover *1953 – Hamburg ...

(horticultural show) and given the title "Beglückende Schönheit" (blissful beauty). Today, this work may be seen at the in Dresden, with its original title; given as a gift by Pfeifer's widow. Pfeifer was also well known for his work as a medallist and was often referred to as "Plaketten-Pfeifer" (Plaques Pfeifer). Most of his medals and reliefs are in the

Art Nouveau Art Nouveau (; ) is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. The style is known by different names in different languages: in German, in Italian, in Catalan, and also known as the Modern ...

style, following in the steps of the French medallists,

Alexandre Charpentier Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier (1856–1909) was a French sculptor, medalist, craftsman, and cabinet-maker. Life and work From working-class origins and apprenticed to an engraver as a young man, he became a studio assistant to the innov ...

and

Oscar Roty Louis-Oscar Roty usually known as Oscar Roty (11 June 1846 – 23 March 1911) was one of the most celebrated medallists of the Art Nouveau period. Biography Louis-Oscar Roty was born on 11 June 1846 in Paris. He first studied painting and scul ...

.Albrecht Kurzwelly: "Leipziger Kunstgewerbe". In: ''Kunstgewerbeblatt.'' N. F. 18, 1906, H. 3. In addition, Pfeifer produced designs for furniture and household items. In 1945, after surviving several bombings, Pfeifer was killed by a clay model that fell on him in his studio.

References

External links

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Felix Pfeifer
@ the Rosengarten Dresden website {{DEFAULTSORT:Pfeifer, Felix German sculptors German male sculptors 1871 births 1945 deaths 20th-century sculptors Accidental deaths in Germany

Biography

References

Further reading

External links