Renée Sintenis: The forgotten master of animal sculpture in Berlin

Renée Sintenis: The forgotten master of animal sculpture in Berlin

On June 6, 1962, an inconspicuous but nevertheless important sculpture was erected on the median strip of the A9 motorway at the Munich-Freimann entrance. The bear cub, designed by the talented artist Renée Sintenis, symbolizes the connection between divided Berlin and West Germany as well as Munich itself. But who was this remarkable woman who was unparalleled in the world of sculpture?

Renée Sintenis grew up at a time when the role of women in the art scene was anything but easy. Even as a child, she reportedly showed a special affinity for animals Bavaria 2 that she took a litter of rabbits for a walk in a doll's pram and decorated school notebooks with pictures of dogs and horses. This passion led her to the decision to become an animal sculptor - a profession that was considered rather dubious at the time. Since women were not admitted to the Berlin Academy of Arts, Sintenis chose an arts and crafts training in which she modeled both female nudes and male gods, while animal depictions were neglected.

Pioneering work in sculpture

In the early years of the First World War, Sintenis began making small plaster sculptures, including foals, deer, donkeys and gazelles. These works were well received by the public, although they were often dismissed by critics as “knickknacks” or “showcase art.” She missed out on graduating and taking the first name “Renate,” highlighting her unconventional approach.

Her artistic career took off - after the First World War, Sintenis was the first woman to be appointed to the Academy of Arts in sculpture, but was soon excluded from the academy due to her Jewish origins. Under the Nazi regime, her works suffered from massive restrictions, and many were removed from public collections. Despite these adversities, she managed to make a name for herself with her sculptural works.

The Berlin Bear

Sintenis created perhaps her best-known work, the statue of the Berlin Bear, in 1932. This sculpture became a symbol of Berlin and found its way into the film world, where it was awarded as a trophy at the Berlin Film Festival from 1953 onwards. This award, known as the “Sintenis Bear,” is presented in silver and gold to the winners and bears the names of the honorees. This honor shows how deeply Sintenis’ work is anchored in society’s perception.

Renée Sintenis is not only considered an important artist of the Weimar Republic, but also a role model of the “new woman”. Her fashionable appearance and unconventional lifestyle made her a real celebrity in Berlin in the 1920s. She developed her own formal language with an impressionistic, flickering surface treatment and showed the awkwardness of young animals' movements - a sign of their deep connection to nature.

Today her works can not only be found in museums, but also part of the memory of the cities that she shaped. Her bear sculptures are no longer just simple sculptures, but rather parts of a cultural identity that have an impact far beyond the time they were created. Thanks to the presentation of over 80 of her works at the Edwin Scharff Museum, there is also a unique opportunity to explore the work of one of the most influential artists of her time Local hero reported.

Renée Sintenis’ legacy is everlasting. Her love for animals, her tireless fight for recognition and her artistic vision make her a true pioneer - a role that she continues to embody with grace and style to this day.