Contemporary Art - Polar Bear Statue / Cut Out Style - M.Klein

Hollow Majesty – A Limited-Edition Bronze Polar Bear - Signed Martin Klein

Born 1979, in the quiet town of Bischofswerda, Saxony, Martin Klein spent his childhood sketching the sturdy forms of horses and the fragile outlines of insects along riverbanks. Amid the rustle of pine and the echo of Baroque spires, he discovered an early fascination with capturing life’s silent dramas in solid form. After refining his craft at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts—where he immersed himself in classical anatomy and the time-honored techniques of bronze casting—Klein established a modest Leipzig studio. There, he fused his rural memories with a modern sensibility, producing sculptures that speak to both tradition and transformation.

Conceiving Form Through Absence

Klein conceived a vision for a polar bear statue that would transcend mere representation. Drawing inspiration from the Arctic’s shifting light and the animal’s quiet strength, he sculpted a clay maquette of the bear in mid-stride, then began the radical process of carving away sections to reveal its essence through negative space. Each circular cut-out was placed with intention—larger apertures along the flank suggest muscle bulges illuminated by low sun, while smaller voids near the muzzle evoke the hint of a warm breath in frigid air. The original clay form was ready to be entrusted to a Saxon foundry renowned for its mastery of the lost-wax process.

The Alchemy of Bronze and Patina

Under the watchful eye of Klein and the foundry’s artisans, molten bronze flowed into the ceramic shell mold, capturing every subtle ridge of the bear’s powerful shoulders and each tapering edge of its flowing coat. Once cooled, the raw casting was chased to remove seam lines, and Klein applied a multi-layered patina: a cool, silvery wash settled into the deepest recesses, reminiscent of drifting sea-ice, while gentle burnishing along raised planes—snout, haunches, and the tops of each rounded void—revealed warm golden highlights. The interplay of shadow and light across the bear’s fragmented surface evokes the polar twilight, where ice and sky seem to merge.

Anatomy of Strength and Sublimation

The bear’s head, lowered as if sniffing the wind, retains a powerful dignity despite the hollowed form. From its broad paws—sculpted with delicate detail—to the taut lines of its haunches, one perceives the animal’s readiness to traverse great distances in search of sustenance. Yet, because so much of its bulk dissolves into air, the figure also carries an unsettling hint of dissolution, suggesting the precarious fate of its real-world counterparts amid a warming planet.

Limited Edition and Collector Appeal

This polar bear statue is produced in a strictly limited edition of just twenty numbered and signed examples—each discreetly etched “M. Klein” beneath one of the hind hooves. For collectors who prize works that unite wildlife reverence with contemporary artistry, this piece offers a rare convergence of technical virtuosity and emotional resonance. Whether displayed in a gallery alcove under soft gallery lighting or placed upon a mantle in a modern living space, the sculpture invites viewers to circle it, discovering new angles where bronze gleams and shadows deepen.

A Reflection on Presence and Absence

With its bold cut-out style, Klein’s bear transcends simple homage to the Arctic’s greatest predator. Its very emptiness speaks as eloquently as solid form, reminding us of the fragility of ecosystems and the urgent need to safeguard vanishing realms. In this way, the sculpture becomes more than decoration—a silent envoy, urging contemplation of our shared responsibility to preserve the world’s icebound frontiers. As the patina matures over years—softening in high points and darkening in hidden hollows—each editioned bear will grow in character, bearing witness to both the sculptor’s original vision and the passage of time.

Height: 44 cm

Width: 88 cm

Depth: 21 cm

Weight: 12,0 kg

100% bronze