Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) was one of the most famous and creative artists. Being under the influence of Paul Klee and Gustav Klimt the Austrian master developed the artistic world of winding secrets and in no other work of art the paint is applied more bravely and sensitively than in paintings of Hundertwasser.

The promotion of life according to the laws of nature and the desire to reflect all areas of life in art individually were the main points of Hundertwasser’s creative works. He wanted to unite the creatures of men with the creatures of the nature and help people to satisfy the desire for the beautiful and various in the harmony with nature.

The art of Hundertwasser was opposed to the monotonous reality of the every-day life governed and founded by the mere ratio. Instead of the strict lines perceived as too geometrical he placed the natural shapes. He changed the pervasive grey for powerful and shining colors up to glossy gold.

His art wasn’t purely the gallery or museum kind of art. According to Hundertwasser if the art was destined to change the world, it should enter the lives of average people. When he addressed to the “practical” art and designed the objects of everyday life like book covers, glasses, cups, postal stamps and, finally, the whole houses, it wasn’t the new direction of his art, but continuation of the prospect, set in the beginning of his artistic career: “I want to give people the things which are beautiful and practical, which can mean something for them and enrich them.”

For Hundertwasser art should be associated with individual creativity. He was skeptical about the mass production of things and hostile to the purely functional architecture. He was sure that his sketches can preserve their harmonious beauty only through manual work.

Ceramic product made from kaolin, quartz and feldspar.

Porcelain is formed by turning or pressing. Figural representations are cast. Complex molds have to be cast in sections and then "applied". After molding, the pieces are dried and "burnt" at about 900 °C. After that, the glaze is applied and fired at temperatures between 1,240 °C and 1,445 °C. In major manufactures, the porcelain is painted by hand with each color separately and has to be burned in compliance with narrow temperature tolerances.

The porcelain was invented in China and became widespread in Europe in the 16th century. The first European porcelain factory was founded in Meissen in 1710.

Other famous European porcelain factories are Fürstenberg, Höchst, Schwarzburger Werkstätten, Lladró, Nymphenburg, KPM, Augarten, Sèvres, Limoges, Royal Copenhagen, Worcester. Individual factories label their products with the porcelain brands that serve to identify their origin.

Related links:
Schwarzburg Workshops of the Porcelain Art
Lladró

A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.

While sculptures from wood, ivory or stone are made directly from the block of material, for bronze casting a working model is prepared at first. Usually it is made of clay or other easily shaped materials.

The prime time of sculpture after the Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Also the contemporary artists, such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz enriched the sculpture with outstanding works.