Clara Quien, Full Figure Statue, 1933, Plaster

Clara Quien Sculpture (1903–1987) – Rare 20th Century Artwork

A rare opportunity to acquire a sculpture by Clara Quien, an exceptional 20th-century British sculptor and humanitarian artist. Due to the rarity of her surviving sculptures and the historical significance of her work, this piece is offered price on request.

Clara Quien’s sculptures are highly sought after by collectors, museums and institutions, as many of her works were lost during the Second World War. This artwork represents a rare surviving example of her powerful artistic legacy.

About Clara Quien (1903–1987)

Clara Quien was a British sculptor known for combining classical sculptural techniques with modern artistic expression. Throughout her career she produced an impressive body of work including:

Over 500 portrait busts

Around 30 full-figure portraits

Approximately 30 modern sculptures

Her work reflects not only artistic mastery but also a profound commitment to humanitarian ideals and social reflection.

Early Life and Artistic Training

Clara Quien was born in England and spent part of her childhood in China, where her father supervised major engineering projects such as the development of the Wang Poo River and the construction of Cheefoo Harbor.

She later studied in Switzerland, before continuing her artistic education in Florence under the renowned sculptor Maestro Andreotti. During this period she mastered sculpting, casting techniques and art history.

Her studies and exhibitions brought her to several major European cultural centers including Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris. Her first solo exhibition in Amsterdam received considerable critical acclaim.

Kashmir, India and a Turning Point

In 1935 Clara traveled overland to India with her mother. During this journey she married the Dutch architect F.J. Hopman, after which they settled in Srinagar, Kashmir.

During this period she created one of her most powerful sculptures: a life-size Pietà, inspired by a walk through the Kashmiri hills. Surrounded by flowers emerging through ice, she reflected on human violence and suffering. The sculpture expressed the grief of those left behind after loss.

Her concern about violence also inspired a series of 34 anti-war sculptures, once housed in the Peace House in The Hague. Tragically, these works were destroyed by the Nazis during World War II.

Meeting Mahatma Gandhi

Clara Quien’s Pietà sculpture titled “Love One Another” raised funds for the reconstruction of Indian villages and was placed in the gardens of the Gandhi Museum Wardha.

Through this project she met Mahatma Gandhi, whom she described as a man “completely free of hatred”.

She later received the extraordinary opportunity to sculpt a life-size portrait of Gandhi from life. The sculpture was first modeled in clay in Wardha, cast in bronze in Italy, and eventually presented to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.

International Recognition

Following the Gandhi sculpture, Clara received numerous prestigious commissions. Among the notable figures she portrayed were:

Jawaharlal Nehru

Members of several Indian Maharaja families

Louis Mountbatten and his wife

Ashraf Pahlavi

She became known for her extraordinary ability to sculpt lifelike portraits within only a few hours, often without the subject needing to pose for extended sessions.

Her reputation spread internationally, reaching as far as Iran, where she created sculptures of members of the royal family, including a bronze equestrian statue of the Shah.

In 1951 she received the highest award for sculpture at the annual art exhibition in Bombay for her work “The Return of Gautama.”

Later Career

In 1952 Clara returned to Europe to join her children in Switzerland. She continued to work actively as an artist.

In 1957 she collaborated with her husband on the decoration of Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, producing a monumental winged lion sculpture and eleven bronze panels.

Later in life she turned to abstract painting, producing over 100 abstract works, alongside numerous garden sculptures and smaller artworks. She also shared her knowledge by teaching clay modelling and lecturing on topics including the philosophy and ideals of Gandhi.

A Rare Opportunity for Collectors

Works by Clara Quien are extremely rare. Many sculptures were lost during wartime, making surviving pieces highly significant for collectors of modern sculpture, museums and institutions.

This artwork represents:

An important 20th-century sculpture

A work by a historically significant female artist

A piece connected to major historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi

For collectors of modernist sculpture, historical portrait sculpture and humanitarian art, this is an exceptional acquisition opportunity.