Der Flötenspieler, UNNY033L, 1975, Germany
Title

Der Flötenspieler

Gift ID: 
UNNY033L

Der Flötenspieler (flute player) was made by German-born British sculptor and football pioneer Benno Elkan (1877 – 1960). Born in Dortmund, he studied art in Frankfurt, Rome, and Paris, where he was mentored by the great French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Elkan moved to London following the rise of the Nazis in Germany in 1933. His works included tombs, busts, medals and monuments, many of which are now exhibited in museums across Europe. 

While Der Flötenspieler was made at the peak of the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) movement in 1906, it features the antique figura serpentinata style of the Renaissance that gives a figure a spiral pose to make it appear more dynamic. It’s said this sculpture is an official replica of the original made in 1906, only a bit smaller. Today, there are only three of these replicas known to exist worldwide, the other two being in the Ostwall Museum in Dortmund, Germany and the other in a private collection. Although the original plays a flute, these three replicas never had a flute, the reason for which is unfortunately not known.

In 1975, the nation of Germany lent Der Flötenspieler (flute player) to the United Nations It remains where it was placed in the Secretary-General’s private office suite.

Donor Region: 
Western European and Other Groups
Donor: 
Germany
Classification: 
Sculpture
Materials: 
Bronze
Medium: 
Bronze
Location (Building): 
Secretariat (S)
Location floor: 
38th Floor
Donation Date: 
December 31, 1975
Artist or Maker: 
Benno Elkan
Dimensions: 
27 ½ x 12 x 9 in.