Inkwell “Repos” Gustav Gurschner ca. 1900

This bronze inkwell was created in the context of the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. We see this in the markings “VIENNE” and “REPOS” in French language and in its year of creation “1900”. During a two-year stay in Paris, Gustav Gurschner came into contact with the sculptures of Auguste Rodin, whose influence can be clearly seen in this object. The nude figure is depicted with great detail and emotion.

The inkwell is described in 1900 in “Die Kunst-Halle”, a magazine for arts and crafts, as follows: “[…] an inkwell, which [Gurschner] calls “Repos”, depicts a half-inclined overturned barrel, against which, leaning with the head, a huddled figure sleeps.”. Further it is stated that his work “[…] always reveals a very fortunate connection between the creative idea and the utilitarian purpose of the object.”