Bronze sculpture “Grief” (1921) by Georg Kolbe

In 1912, Georg Kolbe caused a sensation in Berlin with his "Dancer"—his most famous work to this day. The theme of (expressionist) dance and expressive, even ecstatic, movement permeates his sculptural work well into the 1920s, as seen in his "Kneeling Woman" from 1921. In the decade between these two works, Kolbe received the title of professor (1918) and—together with Ernst Barlach and Wilhelm Lehmbruck—was admitted to the Prussian Academy of Arts (1919). In the 1920s, he was undeniably considered one of Germany's most important sculptors, and thus attracted the attention of major art collectors worldwide. One of his works later found its way into Nelson Rockefeller's legendary art collection; it served as the model for the ars mundi exclusive edition.