Otto Gutfreund
Embracing Figures

Public Domain

ExpandFavorite

Artist Otto Gutfreund (Czech, 1889–1927)Czech, 1889–1927

CultureCzech

Titles

Embracing Figures

Date1912–1913

PlaceCzechoslovakia

MediumBronze

Dimensions25 1/8 × 13 × 10 1/8 in. (63.8 × 33 × 25.7 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Alice Pratt Brown Museum Fund

Object number89.283

Current Location

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building

Gallery 203

On view

Explore Further

Department

Arts of Europe and the Mediterranean

Object Type

SCULPTURE

DescriptionAs the movement began to spread outside
of Paris, Cubism had an immediate effect
on the Czech avant-garde. Otto Gutfreund
was among the first artists working in Prague
to respond to the early, Analytic stage of Cubism,
and he followed Pablo Picasso as one of the
innovators of Cubist sculpture. However,
unlike his Paris contemporaries, Gutfreund was
interested in tapping the emotional potential
of Cubist form. His Embracing Figures are
twined together in a spiraling composition,
underscoring the dynamic and sensual energy
of their union.
Provenance Research Ongoing Exhibition History"Otto Gutfreund, 1889-1927, Czech Cubist," Grosvenor Gallery, London, January 24–July 1966, cat. no. 5.

"Oto Gutfreund (sic)," Museum des 20. Jahrhunderts, Schweizergarten, Vienna III, April 3–May 11, 1969, cat. no. 16.

"Otto Gutfreund, 1889-1927 Sculpture and Drawings," Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh, July 21–August 11, 1979, cat. no. 15.

"Filla, Gutfreund, Kupka and Czech Cubism, 1907-1927," Malmö Konsthall, December 17, 1982–March 6, 1983, cat. no. 98.

"Kubismus in Prag, 1909-1925," Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen, Düsseldorf, September 28–November 20, 1991, illus. cat. p. 197.

"Cubismes tchèques, 1910-1925, architecture, design, arts platiques," Centre National d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou, Paris, March 17–May 17, 1992.

"Europe 1900–1975: Selections from the Museum's Collection," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 4, 2014–January 4, 2015.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.