Hagenauer Modernist Sculpture of Josephine Baker, Vienna

Hagenauer Modernist Sculpture of Josephine Baker, Vienna
An exceptional and rare Art Deco sculpture of Josephine Baker, created by Karl Hagenauer (Austrian, 1898–1956) for the renowned Werkstatte Hagenauer of Vienna. This elegant figure captures Baker in motion, her lithe form rendered in cast brass with a radiant chrome finish, circa the 1930s. The piece is stamped ATELIER HAGENAUER WIEN, MADE IN AUSTRIA, and bears the WHW mark of the Hagenauer Workshop.

This sculpture stands an impressive 11.5 inches tall, a larger and more dramatic size than most Hagenauer figures. The design reflects both the glamour and rhythm of Josephine Baker’s stage presence, expressed through sinuous Art Deco geometry and refined simplicity. The polished chrome body contrasts beautifully with the deep bronze patina of the dress, a finish that has developed a rich tone over time with soft variations of brown and copper. This dual surface treatment highlights the sophistication of Hagenauer’s material mastery and his ability to merge industrial modernity with sensual movement.

While Hagenauer’s work often features minimalist brass figures, this particular example is unique for its expressive treatment and scale. Variations of this design were produced in several combinations including all brass, silver and wood, and silver with copper. This version, with its luminous chrome and deep patina, is among the most visually striking and desirable.

The Hagenauer firm was founded by Carl Hagenauer in Austria, in 1898. His son Karl headed the company for some time, studied under Joseph Hoffman, and won bronze and silver medals at the Paris Exposition of 1925.

Josephine Baker (born Freda Josephine McDonald, naturalized French Joséphine Baker; 3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights, activist. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. Baker was the first African-American to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant. During her early career, Baker was renowned as a dancer and was among the most celebrated performers to headline the revues of the Folies Bergère in Paris. Her performance in the revue Un vent de folie in 1927 caused a sensation in Paris. Her costume, consisting of only a short skirt of artificial bananas and a beaded necklace, became an iconic image and a symbol of the Jazz Age and the 1920s.