Hentschel Children Two Children with Sand Moulds

"Two children playing with sand moulds" is a figurine designed by Julius Konrad Hentschel, one of the most important exponents of Art Nouveau at MEISSEN. Between 1904 and 1907, he created a series of child figurines ¿ the famous "Hentschel Children". Their innovative expression, style, and motif marked a turning point in Meissen figurines at the start of the 20th century. Unique and lively, they capture scenes of everyday life: boys and girls depicted in simple apparel and, as in this piece, playing with sand moulds. Despite its childlike subject, the figurine's artwork bespeaks extraordinary technical skill. The children's hair and the grains of the wood are applied with individual brushstrokes; the children's faces are fleshed out with expertly placed touches of colour, lending them a fascinating liveliness.