"Beethoven au foulard" - Büste von Antoine Bourdelle aus dem Jahr 1891, Fotografie von Friederike Grigat, 1987

Antoine Bourdelle, besides Auguste Rodin the most important French sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th century focused on Ludwig van Beethoven throughout his whole life. As early as 1889 did he create the first Beethoven busts. Until his death in 1929 Bourdelle repeatedly dealt with the great composer"s personality and art, creating many designs, models, paintings and sculptures of which he often produced different versions.

The bust named "Beethoven aux foulard" dates from the first phase of the sculptor"s dealing with Beethoven as a subject. At that time, Bourdelle still imitated his model"s actual features. This scultpure strongly resembles the Beethoven portraits that were drawn during the composer"s lifetime. (S.B.)