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Bernhard Heiliger

German, 1915-1995
Bernhard Heiliger (11 November 1915, Stettin - 26 October 1995, Berlin) was a German artist. He was considered "West Germany's foremost sculptor", and his large public artworks are a prominent presence in many German cities, especially Berlin. Heiliger began his artistic education with an apprenticeship as a stone carver and a course of study at the Stettiner Werkschule für Gestaltende Arbeiten from 1933-36 under Kurt Schwerdtfeger, who had been a student of the Bauhaus. After this he attended the Staatlichen Hochschule für bildende Künste (National College of Visual Arts) in 1938, where he studied under Arno Breker. In 1941 he was drafted into the army and served as a radio operator on the Eastern Front for two years, before he received an exemption from military service through the intervention of Breker. Despite this he was drafted again in 1944, after which he fled as a deserter through northern Germany. In May 1946 Heiliger exhibits with the painter Fritz Ascher at the Karl Buchholz Gallery in Berlin. Heiliger's design for the Memorial to Unknown Political Prisoners (1953) brought him his first international recognition, earning him the Prize of the National Government and a prize from the Institute of Contemporary Arts. This was followed by his participation in several prominent international exhibits, such as the documenta I & II in Kassel (1955 and 1959) and the Venice Biennale (1956), and by commissions such as sculptures for the German pavilion at the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels. In 1956 he became a member of the Berlin Academy of Art. In 1974 he was recognized with the Federal Cross of Merit, and in 1984 was awarded an honorary membership in the Deutscher Künstlerbund. He died in Berlin in 1995, and was buried in Berlin's Dahlem Cemetery (Friedhof Dahlem). Heiliger's diverse output stretches from his early, organically abstracted figures to his late nonobjective, geometric abstractions. His early work (1945–1962), focuses on the human figure, which is treated in an organic style influenced by Aristide Maillol and Henry Moore. Also from this period is a series of portrait busts of prominent contemporary Germans. The artist departed from the human figure in his second period (1962–1970), instead developing imagery of the "flight of birds and vegetable forms"[4] influenced by the nonrepresentational Informel style. The seven-meter-high The Flame (Flamme, 1962–63), commissioned by the city of Berlin for Ernst-Reuter-Platz,[1] is considered the key work in the transition between the early and middle periods.[4] The Five Continents (Die fünf Erdteile, 1961), by contrast, still alludes to the human figure in the torso-like shapes that make up the composition.
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Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)
Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger Untitled Gestural Abstraction Lithograph on BK Rives Year: 1967 Signed and numbered "H.C;" in pencil Edition: 100 + H.C. Size: 20.5 × 12.9 on 25.5 × 19.7 inches COA...

Category

1960s Modern Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)
Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~63% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY)

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger Untitled Gestural Abstraction Year: 1967 Lithograph on BK Rives Signed, numbered and inscribed in pencil Edition: 100 + H.C. Size: 20.5 × 12.9 on 25.5 × 19.7 inches...

Category

1960s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~64% OFF  LIMITED TIME ONLY)
Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~64% OFF  LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Untitled Gestural Abstraction (~64% OFF LIMITED TIME ONLY)

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger Untitled Gestural Abstraction Lithograph on BK Rives 1964 Signed, dated and numbered "E.A." in pencil Size: 24.2 × 15.6 on 30 × 22 inches Edition: 75 + E.A. Publish...

Category

1960s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

"Komposition" (Composition)

"Komposition" (Composition)

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger “Composition III”, 1967 Medium: Lithograph Signed, numbered or inscribed Edition: 100 + H.C. Size: 20.5 × 12.9 on 25.5 × 19.7 inches COA provided Bernhard Heiliger...

Category

1960s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Erker-Treffen 3

Erker-Treffen 3

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Paris, FR

Lithograph, 1979 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 142/200 Publisher : Galerie Erker (St. Gallen) 38.00 cm. x 28.00 cm. 14.96 in. x 11.02 in. (paper) Excellent conditi...

Category

1970s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Hommage à Hans Arp

Hommage à Hans Arp

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Paris, FR

Lithograph, 1966 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered XVIII/XX Publisher : Galerie Im Erker St. Gallen LCD4676

Category

1960s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Erker-Treffen 1

Erker-Treffen 1

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Paris, FR

Lithograph, 1972 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 151/200 Publisher : Erker (St. Gallen) LCD4705

Category

1970s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled Gestural Abstraction
Untitled Gestural Abstraction

Untitled Gestural Abstraction

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger Untitled Gestural Abstraction Lithograph on BK Rives 1967 Signed, dated and numbered in pencil Size: 25.75 x 19.7 inches Edition: 55 COA provided *Framing options ...

Category

1960s Modern Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

"Komposition" (Composition)

"Komposition" (Composition)

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Kansas City, MO

Bernhard Heiliger “Composition”, 1967 Medium: Lithograph Signed, numbered or inscribed Edition: 100 + H.C. Size: 20.5 × 12.9 on 25.5 × 19.7 inches COA provided Bernhard Heiliger (11...

Category

1960s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Lithograph

No title

No title

By Bernhard Heiliger

Located in Paris, FR

Engraving Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 15/15 98.50 cm. x 76.50 cm. 38.78 in. x 30.12 in. (paper) 84.50 cm. x 59.00 cm. 33.27 in. x 23.23 in. (image) LCD2113

Category

1970s Abstract Bernhard Heiliger

Materials

Engraving

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Bernhard Heiliger art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Bernhard Heiliger art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Bernhard Heiliger in lithograph, engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Bernhard Heiliger art, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Erwin Bechtold, Jan Voss, and Mary Bauermeister. Bernhard Heiliger art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $485, while the average work can sell for $270.

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