Portland Oregon Northwest Artist Large Abstract Figurative Bronze Sculpture by Frederic F. Littman, 1960

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A large & impressive abstract figurative bronze sculpture, by the Pacific Northwest sculptor Frederic F. Littman (1907–1979), circa 1960.
This … Read more A large & impressive abstract figurative bronze sculpture, by the Pacific Northwest sculptor Frederic F. Littman (1907–1979), circa 1960.
This large bronze by Hungarian-American sculptor Frederic Littman depicts an abstract male form, the figure with it's arms aloft and standing on one leg. The patinated bronze has been sand-cast and has a distinct textured surface, standing on a black rectangular marble block and raised on a simulated stone plinth.
Condition is very good, The table was part of the estate of the accountant of celebrated chef and food author, James beard and came from his estate in Oregon, it was acquired in the early 1960s directly fr om the artist.
Dimensions of sculpture alone No labels.
Height: 36"
Depth 11.25
Width 7.75

Littman was born in Hidegszamos, Austria-Hungary. He studied in Budapest and then in 1925 at the Académie Julian in Paris. By 1931 he had shown at the Salon d'Automne and entered the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, he was very much enamored of French art and this prompted the move which was compounded by antisemitic sentiment in the country of his birth.
By 1934 he was a full professor & had worked under Charles Malfray at the Académie Ranson, where he met his wife, Austrian-born fellow sculptor Marianne Gold (1907–1999). Littman received highly positive judgment of his work by such celebrated artists as Aristide Maillol.
As Jews, Littman and his wife fled Europe and the horrors of the holocaust and came to the United States in 1940. After a brief stint at Antioch College in Ohio, they came to Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where Littman was artist-in-residence until 1945, at this time he also had the first of three one-person shows at the Portland Art Museum. In 1946 he became an instructor in sculpture at the Museum Art School, he continued to teach there until 1960.
Littman worked extensively with a number of architects, including the renowned Pietro Belluschi, for whom he produced two commissions, including the bronze doors adorned with ascending angels at the Zion Lutheran Church, located on SW 18th Avenue in Portland. The same year he was named associate professor of Art at Portland State University & attained full professorship in 1966, until he retired from PSU in 1973.
His work whilst influenced by Maillol, but was undeniably influenced by Maillol's teacher Auguste Rodin, with influences of contemporaries of Littman, such as Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966).
Littman left a lasting legacy including many commissions and works held in private hands, but more importantly his legacy amongst his students such as Manuel Izquierdo, Donald Wilson, Lee Kelly & Charles Kelly.
Commissioned works include;
"Farewell to Orpheus" bronze fountain, Portland State University, 1968
"Pioneer Woman" bronze, Council Crest, Portland, 1966
"Seat of Wisdom" Lead relief, Clark Memorial Library, University of Portland 1958
Eight marble scenes of Oregon Industries, First National Bank, Salem Oregon, 1947
bronze ark doors "Bimah" Temple Beth Israel, Portland, 1960 See less