Putto Spring Figurine by Michael Powolny for Wiener Keramik, 1907

Ceramic Putto with flowers – “Spring”, design Michael Powolny, execution Wiener Keramik, ca. 1907, ceramics colorfuly glazed, marked Michael Powolny is one of the most renowned ceramic artists of the Viennese Art Nouveau, known especially among Jugendstil collectors for his decorative putti. Powolny revisited the theme of the Four Seasons multiple times in his ceramic creations, varying it in relief-like depictions on vases and tiles, or creating fully sculpted figures like this Spring putto. with a lush floral arrangement, it stands as an allegory of spring. The extravagant profusion of flowers, featuring various stylized blooms, provides Powolny with an opportunity to generously showcase his colorful glazes. In the well-balanced composition, the characteristic bellflowers stand out in particular. The flower cascade reaching down to the ground is a visual delight, and at the same time, it serves to stabilize the ceramic statuette. Its richness in detail attests to Powolny’s mastery of the ceramic material. Michael Powolny created the cycle of the seasons in 1907. This putto was produced by the Wiener Keramik and can be dated to around the year 1907 based on the pressed mark. pressmarks “WK” for Wiener Keramik, artist’s monogram “MP” for Michael Powolny, original sticker “60” bib.: Catalogue raisonné by Elisabeth Frottier, “Michael Powolny. Keramik und Glas aus Wien“ (Michael Powolny, Viennese ceramics and glass), Böhlau, Vienna-Cologne 1990, illustration 21, cat.no. 27; Thomas Arlt/Arthur Weilinger (eds.), Wiener Keramik. Catalogue raisonné, authors edition, Vienna 2018, pp. 232, mod. No. 60;