Image series 07 / 2026: Animal Sculptures by August Gaul
Individuals Full of Expression
8 February 2026
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By: Bettina Pfleging
At the beginning of the 20th century, German sculptor August Gaul presented a new perspective on animals with his sculptures. His strikingly realistic animal depictions show lions, eagles, otters, bears and many other animals as individuals full of expression, power and emotion, as autonomous beings, characterised by careful observation of nature and a clear, reduced formal language. He drew on contemporary scientific and animal psychology research.
In the exhibition, 93 animal sculptures by August Gaul enter into dialogue with sculptures from three millennia. This juxtaposition reveals how the relationship between humans and animals has changed over time.
„Animals Are Only Humans Too. Sculptures by August Gaul“
13 November 2025 until 3 May 2026, Liebieghaus, Frankfurt am Main
August Gaul. Römische Ziegen, 1898, Bronze, 27,5 cm hoch; ArtICON, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institut für Kunstpädagogik
August Gaul. Vogel Strauß, 1903, Bronze, 34,5 × 19 × 47,5 cm; Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
August Gaul. Käuzchen, 1903/04, Bronze, 13,5 × 16 × 14 cm; Imago, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Institut für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte
August Gaul. Adler, 1903 bis 1904, Aluminiuim/Bronze, 97 cm hoch, Hamburg; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
August Gaul. Wisente (linke Skulptur), Ausschnitt, 1910 – 1911, Muschelkalk, H: 123 cm, B: 248 cm, T: 96 cm, Kiel; digiCULT Museen, digiCULT, Kiel
August Gaul. Liegender Leopard, geradeausblickend, 1913, Kalkstein, 52,5 cm, Dresden; Imago, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Institut für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte
August Gaul. Pinguin, nach 1914, Bronze, Frankfurt am Main; Diathek online, Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Kunstgeschichte, Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden
August Gaul. Menschenaffe – Laufender Orang-Utan, 1921/1922, Stein, 125 cm hoch, Berlin; ArteMIS, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Kunsthistorisches Institut
