The Reader

THE READER was commissioned as a result of a competition sponsored by the Northern Indiana Arts Association in conjunction with Lake County (IN) Library Association. THE READER sits cool and serene in a semi-reclined position, reading a book in her lap with her left hand gently resting on a larger tome. . . for reference perhaps. The smooth lines and contours contribute to the calming beauty of the piece.The bronze work is the model for the twice life-sized finished piece, crafted in concrete and marble powder and is polished so fine it looks like it was chiseled from a block of white marble.

The artist said that when he crafted the plastilene (clay-like material) face of the reader he was troubled that he couldn't get it right. It was much too young at first. He reworked the face, adding and molding, but then it looked too old. A third adjustment gave her an Oriental look. Finally, he had the face right, just the right textures and lines. After the competition (which Hermann won) and the finished sculpture was dedicated at the library, Hermann stood back and noticed that sweet face again, realizing only then, whose face it was.
When he was eleven years old in Cologne, Hermann had a crush on a second cousin, Esther, who was a few years older than he and beautiful of heart and charm. He gazed at the cool marble face and saw his first love, captured forever.

Inquiries contact mileniaman@yahoo.com.