Ferdinand Lepcke | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | March 12, 1909 | (aged 42)
Resting place | Berlin |
Nationality | German |
Known for | Sculptor |
Notable work | Deluge Fountain, The Archer |
Style | Sculpting |
Awards |
Ferdinand Lepcke (or Lepke) (March 23, 1866 – March 12, 1909) was a German sculptor, who in particular realized two major monuments in Bydgoszcz: the Deluge Fountain and The Archer. He received a golden medal at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition and, the Berlin Minister for Spiritual Education and Medical Affairs awarded him the title of professor.
Ferdinand Lepcke was born on March 23, 1866, in Coburg in the Thuringian state of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, located in today's Bavaria.[1]
The family moved to Berlin at the end of his early childhood. After graduating from gymnasium, Ferdinand started studies at the Berlin Academy of Arts.[2] He stayed there several years, from 1883 and 1890. During two years (1888-1890), he studied under the guidance of artist professor Fritz Schaper.[3] He additionally honed his skills in the sculpture atelier of the Biber brothers and in the Kunstgewerbemuseum studio of the German capital.
He cherished the neoclassical style, had become ubiquitous in Germany since the mid-1850s with pioneers such as Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764-1850) and Christian Daniel Rauch (1777-1857). Actually, Lepcke felt closer to the spirit of the old masters than the trendy Art Nouveau. In his late years, however, he acknowledged his interest in nascent movements such as Jugendstil or Art Deco.[3] This attachment to classical sculpture emanated from his passion for Antiquity.[1]
In 1893, at the age of 27, he was awarded by the Prussian Academy of Arts the great state prize, consisting of a scholarship year in Rome: there he could refine his knowledge of ancient sculpture. Further study trips took him France and Copenhagen, Denmark.[3] At this time, he was already a valued artist and a sought-after sculptor.
In 1895, Charles Alexander, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach awarded Ferdinand Lepcke the Knight's Cross of the Order of the White Falcon.
In 1897, Ferdinand moved back to Berlin and took the position of professor at the Academy of Arts. He was admitted to the artistic group of the Berliner Künstverein.
In 1903, the artist received a golden medal at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition. On June 8, 1905, the Berlin Minister for Spiritual Education and Medical Affairs awarded him the title of professor.
Ferdinand Lepcke died of pneumonia on March 19, 1909, in Berlin, at the age of 42.
Lepcke created small artworks (like busts) as well as large monuments.[3]