The Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung presented a major exhibition on August Gaul (1869–1921), one of Germany’s first modern sculptors. Around one hundred animal sculptures made of bronze, ceramic, and marble entered into dialogue with sculptures from three millennia.

August Gaul is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern sculpture in Germany. Through his depictions of animals, he liberated the motif from centuries-old symbolism, developing a new sculptural language that had a lasting impact on the 20th century. Alongside his impressive, life-size sculptures of lions and apes, Gaul also turned his attention to animals that had previously been overlooked in art, including donkeys, geese and ducks.

The exhibition showcased Gaul’s work within the context of his exploration of the relationship between art and science, while also shedding light on socially relevant issues of his time. The theme of the close relationship between humans and animals ran like a thread through the entire exhibition. A particular highlight was the larger-than-life eagle in the museum garden, which the artist originally created for the Kaiser Wilhelm National Monument in Berlin. Unlike traditional heroic depictions, the bird is shown here landing on its nest—an impressive example of Gaul’s artistic programme of replacing the animal’s political symbolism with its natural behaviour. His work aligns with contemporary scientific research and the study of animal psychology, such as that of Charles Darwin.

For the first time, the exhibition showed almost the entire important private Frankfurt collection of Carlo Giersch and was supplemented by numerous loans from Berlin, Hamburg, Hanau and Leipzig. Almost all areas of the Liebieghaus were included, allowing Gaul's work to enter into an exciting, multifaceted dialogue with the collection.

Curator: Prof Dr Vinzenz Brinkmann (Head of the Department of Antiquities and Asia, Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung)
Project Manager: Jakob Salzmann (Curatorial Assistant, Department of Antiquities and Asia, Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung)

Sponsored by: Stiftung Giersch, Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain gGmbH, Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V., Frankfurter Volksbank Rhein/Main, Kristine & Matthias Meckert

Culture Partner: hr2-kultur