December 2001 - Nr. 12
The Hummel Secret
For many years I have been intrigued by those lovely little figurines that the Goebel factory in Germany manufactured under the "M. I. HUMMEL" name, but have never been really interested enough to follow up on this mystery.
However,
a few weeks ago I attended a demonstration by Ulrike Götze, a porcelain
painter from the German factory, in the Porcelain Shop at the Scarborough
City Centre. This young lady travels all over to show people the intricacies
of painting these wonderful works of art.
A few pertinent questions peaked my interest and I began some detailed research into the Hummel figurine’s background. This is what I found out:
On the 21st of May 1909 Berta Hummel was born – third of seven children to the merchant Adolf Hummel, in Massing an der Rott, Germany. An artistic talent showed itself in her earliest youth, when she often drew captivating caricatures of her schoolmates and teachers.
At
the "Marienhöhe" institute for young ladies, Beta’s promising
creative talent was encouraged and developed in intensive art lessons. One
teacher advised her to attend the Munich Academy of Applied Art – where
she was accepted in 1927. Some of her highly respected tutors were
Maximilian Dasio, Else Brauneis and F. Wirnhier. During her time at the
academy she produced an entire range of excellent works – expressionist
still-lifes, portraits and self-portraits. Berta Hummel’s years as a
student not only developed her artistic talent but defined the course of her
future life.
The young student met two Franciscan Sisters from the convent at Siessen in Württemberg, who were also completing their studies. Artistic creativity in the fine arts was encouraged at their convent. Her friendship with the sisters, and the idea of combining religion and art in her future work, prompted young Berta’s decision to enter the convent.
In April 1931 she completed her - studies at the top of her class - and entered the convent. In August 1933 she took her first vows and was given the name "Sister Maria Innocentia". This is where the "M. I. Hummel" trade name originated! She took her final vows in 1934. Her many tasks at the convent included giving drawing lessons at a convent school. Her love of children gave rise to the drawings of children playing – the children of friends from her childhood, and children who came to play in the convent gardens.
This
was when she finally found her own personal style. A first exhibition of her
works generated a great deal of interest, and publishers were soon knocking
at her door. This is how Franz Goebel came to know her work. Together with
his master sculptors Reinhold Unger and Arthur Möller, he examined the
possibilities of making figurines based on her drawings. Finally he met with
the artist herself and the Mother Superior. A licensing agreement was
concluded, which gave Goebel exclusive rights to manufacture and sell
three-dimensional products.
When Goebel launched the first figurines at the "Mustermesse" (Trade-fair) in Leipzig in 1935, this marked the exciting start of an international success story. In order to ensure compliance with the licensing agreement with the convent, under which the convent had the final word in matters of artistic integrity, Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel visited the factory. Here she worked with the artists to ensure that the three-dimensional figurines created from her two-dimensional drawings were to her satisfaction.
Sadly the life of this great lady came to an early end. In November 1946 she succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of only 37. Fortunately her divinely gifted talent lives on in the M. I. Hummel figurines. Now, as then, they are handmade in accordance with the strict principles of artistic integrity.
A
team of artists and members of the management staff submits each new model
to a group of experts from the convent for approval at early stages of
development. M. I. Hummel Figurines have become a symbol of the carefree
days of childhood, bringing joy to millions.
By the way, the production of the figurines is quite a complicated process. From the clay model – which is cut into the various parts of the figurine – plaster-moulds are made into which the slip is poured. The parts are then assembled and dried. The first firing is done at 1140º C. then they are glazed and fired again at 1080º C, then painstakingly hand-painted and refired a final time at 650 – 840º C.
M. I. Hummel figurines are renowned throughout the world for their gentle reflection of childhood joys. Each of these motifs has its own character. When it is time to remember someone special - and you are looking for something special – these wonderful figurines may just fill the bill. They are a gift to enrich the home and warm the heart.
One of the local retailers where you can find these lovely figurines is the Porcelain Shop I mentioned above. You will find their website at: www.toronto.com/porcelainshop on the internet. The Porcelain Shop has been located on the upper level of the Scarborough Town Centre for over 25 years.
The W. Goebel factory can be reached on the internet at: www.goebel.de where you can browse through their catalogue at your leisure.
