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Plaster relief, with sand-coloured tone, 62.2 x 59.2 x 9 cm. Signed 'E Barlach' (scratched in) lower right. - In fine condition. Scattered small superficial chips to the frame. With an analysis of the work by Elmar Jansen, n.p., dated January 1998 We would like to thank Elisabeth Laur, Hamburg, for her kind information. Provenance Gift from the artist to Adolf Kegebein, the architect of Barlach's studio house in Güstrow, c. 1930; since then in family possession Literature Elisabeth Laur, Ernst Barlach. Das plastische Werk, Werkverzeichnis II, Güstrow 2006, p. 190 f., cf. nos. 377-381; Friedrich Schult, Ernst Barlach. Das plastische Werk, Hamburg 1960, p. 169 f., cf. nos. 295-298 Ernst Barlach worked on the plaster model for the relief "Der Apostel" (The Apostle) since autumn 1924. He developed two versions: One, the "Apostel II" has a smooth ground and a frame with a half-rounded profile on three sides (cf. Laur 379, cf. Schult 296). The other version, "Apostel I", has a rough ground and an angularly moulded frame. Barlach used elements from both versions for the final wooden piece. According to Jansen, the more sharply moulded version "Apostel I" is probably the original model (Laur 377; Schult 295). In November 1926, Ernst Barlach moved into a new studio house in Walkmühlenstraße in Güstrow. At this time he attempted to form several of his plaster models in terracotta, and for this reason made casts of these. According to Jansen, several plaster casts were made from the original model of "Apostel I" at this time. These were unknown to Schult, and although Laur mentions two further plaster casts, neither of them are our piece. Jansen explains further that Barlach gave away two copies of this cast as gifts on occasion of his move to the new studio in 1930/31. One was given to the master builder Feine, the other to the architect Adolf Kegebein (1894-1987). Kegebein already knew Barlach's art from his studies in Dresden in 1913, and the two men became friends during the construction of the studio-house (cf. Inge Tessenow (ed.), Ernst Barlach - Marga Böhmer. Briefe, Güstrow 2012, p. 124f.). The relief that Barlach gave to him was signed, whereas the two other copies and the original version were not. The current relief is a fine and expressive example, not only due to its well preserved condition but also the quality of the cast. The rough surface and angular frame present a marked contrast to the intensity and emotional depth of the depiction. With a gesture and expression of both poignancy and conviction, but also of humility, the Apostle seems to appeal to his listener with great eloquence. The figure appears to have held special importance for Barlach. In 1928 he created a charcoal drawing after the relief which according to Jansen was supposed to adorn the cover of his autobiography "Ein selbsterzähltes Leben" (A self-told life) (cf. Schult Zeichnungen no. 1940).