GAUL, AUGUST
1869 Großauheim - 1921 Berlin


Title: The Hamster.
Date: 1917.
Technique: Iron casting.
Measurement: 23,5 x 13,5 x 8cm.
Notation: Inscribed verso on the plinth: "A. Gaul 1917".
Foundry Mark: On the lower plinth edge Foundry disc drawing: "Akt.-Ges. vorm. H. Gladenbeck u. Sohn".


Literature:
J. Gabler: August Gaul. Das Werkverzeichnis der Skulpturen, Berlin 2007, pp. 228f,
No. 244-1.
Mentioned here under the heading "unidentifizierter Nachweis": "Wiegand 1917 (Nr. 18)".

Provenance:
Collection of the Berlin archaeologist Theodor Wiegand (1864-1936);
Since then in family possession.

In her catalogue raisonné of August Gaul's works, Josephine Gabler lists 38 casts of the hamster at the Cassirer Gallery from 1917-19. The present work, listed by Cassirer as no. 18, was probably acquired there by Theodor Wiegand and has remained in the family's possession ever since.

The hamster, with plump cheeks and an ear of corn in its paws, was designed by Gaul as a contrast to the mighty Berlin bear. During the war years, it alluded to the population's supply shortages and their hamster purchases, but its subtle humour made it one of Gaul's most popular works at the time.