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Ferdinand Preiss (1882-1943) was a German sculptor associated with Art Deco sculpture. He is particularly renowned for his chryselephantine sculptures , combining bronze and ivory, depicting female figures and sporting subjects with elegant, stylised lines.
Ferdinand Preiss was born in 1882 in Germany. He trained in sculpture and ivory carving, developing early on a technical mastery that would have a lasting influence on his work. His career took place in the context of European decorative sculpture at the beginning of the 20th century, a period marked by the boom in the production of objets d'art for modern interiors.
Preiss is closely involved in the development of the art Deco sculpture, he is one of the most refined expressions of this art form. His work focuses on small and medium-sized figures, often produced using the chryselephantine, this technique combines bronze for the body and ivory for the body parts. This technique provides a subtle contrast between the materials and a precise rendering of the surfaces.
La female figure is a central theme in his work. The bodies are treated with great elegance, characterised by elongated proportions, balanced postures and measured stylisation. The attitudes evoke movement, dance or sport, reflecting the period's interest in modernity and the energy and dynamism of the body. The faces are idealised, the expressions restrained, reinforcing the decorative and timeless dimension of the sculptures.
Preiss pays particular attention to the quality of the cast iron and the finish of the surfaces. The patinas of the bronze, often dark or subtly nuanced, dialogue with the softness of the ivory. This technical rigour contributes to the coherence and recognition of his style. His works are generally published in collaboration with specialist workshops, ensuring controlled, high-quality distribution.
His work is fully in keeping with the aesthetic of thebetween two this was the period of the First World War, when decorative sculpture sought to reconcile formal modernity with traditional craftsmanship. Sporting subjects, allegorical figures and stylised scenes reflect an optimistic and elegant vision of the human body, in keeping with the values of Art Deco.
Ferdinand Preiss died in 1943. Today, his work remains one of the most emblematic of European Art Deco sculpture. Preiss's sculptures are appreciated for the finesse of their execution, the harmony of their forms and the quality of their materials, and are a major testimony to the decorative art of the early 20th century.