Sculpture 23

Born in Berlin, Belling underwent commercial training and a subsequent internship creating models for small sculptures and arts-and-crafts objects between 1905 and 1907. In 1911 he began formal academic studies in sculpture at the academy of arts in Berlin. In 1918 he helped found the artist's association known as the "Novembergruppe" and served on its board of directors until 1932. It is during this period that some of Belling's most avant-garde sculptures were created-including the present work. Sculpture 23 exemplifies the artist's belief that a sculpture should show only good views. Indeed, the manner in which the artist has broken the human head into discrete components plays with space and form in a manner that yields intriguing views from every angle.