Ludwig Eisenberger(active in Berlin between 1895-1920), Spear Fighter
, around 1910. Brown patinated bronze with residual gilding on a cast terrain plinth with marble base (8 cm high). 68 cm (total height with detachable spear) x 20 cm (width) x 13 cm (depth), weight 15,1 kg. Signed “L.[udwig] Eisenberger” on the plinth and with the foundry mark “Akt.- Ges. Gladenbeck Berlin” on the reverse.
- slightly bumped in places, patina more heavily rubbed, otherwise in good condition
- The Fighter's Concentration -
The muscular gladiator, clad only in a loincloth, is loosening the strap of his shield in preparation for battle. His stance follows the ancient contrapposto, in which the standing leg-playing leg motif has been transformed into a stride that demonstrates the fighter's determination, even as he concentrates on loosening the band.
The removal of the shield leads to a movement in the opposite direction of the stride, so that the body performs a slight twisting movement, further emphasizing the athletic fighter. The torsion of the body is further emphasized by the loincloth moving toward the leg position with the belt diagonally across the body on one side and the contrasting shield band diagonally across the shoulder on the other.
With the extraordinary pictorial idea of illustrating an action that is completely secondary to the fight, Ludwig Eisenberger succeeds in giving the fighter an inner dynamic that expresses his powerful potential.
