Renowned 20th Century Dutch Sculptor Mari Silvester Andriessen Bronze Figurative Abstraction Impressionism Couple Sculpture on a Marble Base

Measurements: 12"T x 3.5"W x 3"D (30.48cm x 8.89cm x 7.62cm)

Markings: Artist Monogram MA on Base

Weight:  6.3 lbs.

A stunning and heavy bronze with brown patina modernist - impressionism style sculpture of a couple standing face to face on a marble base, from important 20th Century Dutch sculptor, Mari Andriessen. It is in excellent condition with no condition issues and new felt added to the base.

Mari Silverster Andriessen (4 December 1897 – 7 December 1979)

Mari Andriessen is one of the most important Dutch sculptors of the 20th century. His sculpture is characterized by great expressiveness and sensitivity towards the subject, through which movement and emotion are conveyed to the viewer.

Born and died in Haarlem, Andriessen is buried at the RK Begraafplaats Sint Adelberts in Bloemendaal, the Netherlands. 

He was a member of the second generation of the Group of figurative abstraction, also known as De Groep (“The Group”). The years up to and including the war were difficult for him and other sculptors, as there were few assignments. The 1940-45 period gave a decisive twist to his life and work. Andriessen, as 'Aryan artist', had to become a member of the Nederlandsche Kultuurkamer, which was based on National Socialist philosophy, which he refused. Because of this he received no commissions and was not allowed to exhibit. Andriessen held Jewish people in hiding in his house and the resistance had a weapons depot in Andriessen's studio. 

When the war ended, many municipalities wanted to have a war memorial. Few knew what such a monument should look like. Andriessen had learned from his teacher Bronner that an image had to be clear, clean and well-organized. He was inspired by Belgian and French realists (Constantin Meunier, Aimé-Jules Dalou and Auguste Rodin) His best-known works are De Dokwerker (“The Docker”), Anne Frank and “Man for the firing squad”. De Dokwerker on Amsterdam's Jonas Daniël Meijerplein commemorates the February strike of 1941.