Bruno Zach

Bruno Zach (6 May 1891 – 20 February 1935) was an Austrian art deco sculptor of Ukrainian birth who worked in the early-to-mid 20th century. His output included a wide repertoire of genre subjects, however he is best known for his erotic sculptures of young women.

Bruno Zach
A polychromed bronze sculpture by Zach of a female hunter and a Borzoi hound on a Brazilian green onyx plinth (c. 1920)
Born(1891-05-06)6 May 1891
Zhytomyr, Volhynian Governorate, Russian Empire
Died20 February 1935(1935-02-20) (aged 43)
Vienna, Nazi Germany
NationalityAustrian
Known forSculpture
Notable work
The Riding Crop, 1925
The Hugger, c. 1930
MovementArt Deco; Art Nouveau
Patron(s)Art Deco Museum

Early life

Bruno Zach[lower-alpha 1] was born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on 6 May 1891.[1] He emigrated to Austria as a young man and studied at the Vienna Academy under sculptors Hans Bitterlich (1860–1949) and Josef Müllner (1879–1968).[2] His styles ranged from art deco, art nouveau, sporting, to orientalism. His oeuvre would generally be considered decorative if not for his success in producing erotic sculpture.[3]

Career

Zach became a prolific creator of sculptures featuring tall, athletic, dominating women in bronze and ivory, the combination of the two in art casting sometimes being referred to as “chryselephantine”.[1] He most often signed as "B. Zach" or "Bruno Zach", however a number of his pieces were signed with his pseudonyms, being "Prof. Tuch",[4] "Professor Tuch" or "K. Salat".[5] His erotica sculptures usually featured sexy, dreamy, scantily clad mistresses in stockings, garters, and high heels.

One of his better known sculptures is the sado-masochistic The Riding Crop. Original period castings of this sculpture have sold for as much as $151,849,[6] one such sale having taken place at the Bonhams auction house in Knightsbridge on 23 November 2011. According to Bonhams' director of decorative arts, Mark Oliver, "the demand for his work just grows and grows".[7]

One of Zach's more controversial sculptures, created circa 1930, was his extremely erotic piece entitled The Hugger.[8] The sculpture depicts a woman hugging a larger-than-life penis. Zach frequently portrayed the seedy side of nightlife in Berlin with many of his sculptures which often featured prostitutes.[8]

His bronze sculptures were generally fired and coated with chemical patinas in mid-brown colors but were sometimes cold painted or polychromed.[9] His used ivory, sparingly, and it was generally well carved. Zach's work was edited by several firms, including Argentor-Werke (Vienna), Broma Companie, S. Altmann and Company, and Franz Bergmann.[1]

Death

Zach died in Vienna, Austria, on 20 February 1935.[9]

References
  1. "Bruno Zach". onlinegalleries.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  2. Böheimer: Straßen & Gassen. S. 65, 106.
  3. "Bruno Zach (Austrian 1891-1945) A Patinated Bronze". liveauctioneers.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  4. "Prof. J. Tuch - Young Lady With Mirror". auctiondata.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  5. Simpson Galleries: Auction 22.02.2015, Lot 272
  6. "Lot 116 - Bruno Zach 'The Riding Crop' an Impressive Green and Gilt Patinated Bronze". Bonhams.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  7. "Bruno Zach's 'Riding Crop Girl' hits World Record $150,602 at Bonhams art auction". justcollecting.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  8. ""The Hugger" by Bruno Zach". Bonhams.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  9. "Bruno Zach, Le Marchand d'esclaves". Sothebys.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.

Literature
  • Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide, 2007/2008 Edition – ISBN 978-1-933295-18-3.
  • Romeo and Juliet in Zhytomyr words, 2016 -
  • Житомирська сторінка кохання скульптора Бруно Зака -

Notes
  1. Zach's surname is often spelled incorrectly as "Zack" in some sources.
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