Clara Quien, Full Figure Statue, 1933, Plaster

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
This is a rare chance to acquire a work by Clara Quien (1903–1987), an extraordinary artist and humanitarian of the 20th century. Due to the rarity of her sculptures and other artworks, this piece falls into a higher price category. While negotiations are possible, it’s important to keep in mind the uniqueness and historical significance of this artwork.

Clara Quien: A Life Dedicated to Art and Humanity
Clara Quien was an accomplished British artist renowned for her ability to blend classical and modern styles. Over the course of her prolific career, she created:

500 portrait heads
30 full-figure portraits
30 modern art sculptures
Her body of work holds immense historical value and represents a profound commitment to both artistic expression and humanistic ideals.

Early Life and Education
Born in England, Clara spent much of her childhood between England and China, where her father played a significant role in engineering projects such as making the Wang Poo River navigable and constructing Cheefoo Harbor.

As a young woman, Clara studied in Switzerland before moving to Florence to study under Maestro Andreotti. In Florence, she mastered carving, casting, and art history. Her education continued in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris, culminating in her first solo exhibition in Amsterdam, which earned her significant acclaim.

The Journey to India and a Turning Point in Her Career
In 1935, Clara traveled overland by car with her mother to India. There, she married Dutch architect F.J. Hopman, and the couple settled in Srinagar, Kashmir. It was during this time that Clara created one of her most significant works, a life-size Pieta, inspired by a walk in the Kashmiri hills. Surrounded by the beauty of flowers blooming through the ice, she reflected on the violence of mankind and was compelled to create a sculpture that embodied the sorrow and suffering of those left behind after death.

This theme of human suffering also inspired her to create a series of 34 anti-war sculptures, which were housed in the Peace House in The Hague until they were tragically destroyed by the Nazis.

Meeting Gandhi and Creating a Legacy
Through her Pieta, titled “Love One Another,” Clara raised substantial funds for Gandhi’s village uplift movement. Her work was placed in the Gandhi Museum Garden in Wardha, and this connection led to her meeting Mahatma Gandhi. She described him as a man “totally free of hatred” and full of humor, though never at anyone’s expense.

Clara was honored with the unique opportunity to sculpt a life-size statue of Gandhi from life, an experience that became a pivotal moment in her career. The clay sculpture was created in Wardha and later cast in bronze in Italy. The statue traveled to California before being presented to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Foundation in Washington, DC.

Artistic Contributions and Global Recognition
The success of her Gandhi sculpture brought Clara widespread recognition, leading to commissions to model other notable figures, including:

Pandit Nehru and his daughter
Several Maharajas
Lord Mountbatten and his wife
Clara became known for her ability to create lifelike portraits within hours, often without requiring her subjects to pose. Her reputation eventually extended to Persia, where she sculpted Princess Ashraf, a bronze equestrian statue of the Shah, and several other princes.

In 1951, Clara won the highest award for sculpture at the Bombay Art Exhibition for her piece “Return of Gautama.”

Later Years and Continued Creativity
In 1952, Clara returned to Europe to join her children in Switzerland. She continued to create and innovate, completing a large winged lion and eleven bronze panels in 1957 for the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, in collaboration with her husband.

In her later years, Clara shifted her focus to non-figurative painting, producing over 100 abstract works, as well as numerous garden sculptures. She also shared her knowledge by teaching clay modeling and lecturing on various topics, including Gandhian ideals.

A Rare and Historic Opportunity
Clara Quien’s work is not only a testament to her artistic brilliance but also a reflection of her deep compassion and understanding of the human condition. Her unique blend of classical techniques and modern vision has cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of art.

This artwork represents a significant piece of history and an extraordinary opportunity for collectors or institutions to own a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece.