Art Deco sculpture. Knut Andersson 1915
Price:16000 SEK1424 EUR1536 USDChange Currency
Dimensions: Height 58 cm (23 inches) x Width 18 cm (8 inches) x Depth 21 cm (9 inches)
An art deco terracotta-painted plaster sculpture of a partly nude odalisque walking holding a tray, signed and dated "KA (19)15" by Swedish sculptor Knut Andersson (1884–1954). This piece is likely a preliminary model for a public bronze sculpture. Knut Andersson was a creative force hailing from Bankeryd, Småland, Sweden. After studying at the Technical School in Stockholm, he received a travel scholarship that led him to Munich, where he remained for 20 years, building a successful career. In 1912, he studied at Debitz's private academy, followed by the Staatliche Akademie für Angewandte Kunst. By 1915, he had the opportunity to work with prominent sculptors such as Franz Xaver Kraus, Seidler, and Joseph Wackerle. Andersson received numerous commissions over time, including sculptural decorations for the Cherubini Theater in Munich and the Victoria Theater in Pforzheim. His works were characterized by music, grace, and rhythm, blending decorative and intimate elements, making him well-suited for adorning spaces dedicated to social gatherings and the merry muse. His portfolio encompassed theater decorations, public spaces, private commissions for gardens and facades, and embellishments for large luxury ships. In 1934, Andersson returned to Sweden, continuing his artistic endeavors. Two years later, he settled on Lidingö, outside Stockholm. His work in Sweden included baptismal fonts, church sculptures, and public artworks. The odalisque sculpture reflects the early 20th-century European fascination with Orientalism, here, depicting a gracefully female figure in exotic attire walking with a tray symbolizing sensuality and mystique. This piece exemplifies Andersson's ability to merge decorative appeal with intimate artistry, aligning with the period's artistic trends.