Otto Zirnbauer

Otto Zirnbauer (born September 18, 1903 in Obernzell an der Donau , † November 10, 1970 in Passau ) was a German sculptor and restorer.

life and work

Otto Zirnbauer (1903–1970) restoring the Geiersberg Way of the Cross, 1968

Otto Zirnbauer was born on September 18, 1903 in Obernzell as the fourth of five children of the leather manufacturer Franz Zirnbauer (1863–1936) and his wife Hedwig born. Hauer (1867–1918) born. From 1919 to 1921 he did an apprenticeship with the sculptor Franz Kruis in Passau . He then attended the technical college in Zwiesel until 1923 . After that he was a master student of Franz Barwig the Elder in 1924/25 . Ä. at the Vienna Art Academy .

From 1925 to 1928 he worked in the East German workshops in Neisse / Upper Silesia (director: Richard Adolf Zutt ) and from 1928 to 1930 for the sculptor Arnold Hensler in Wiesbaden . From 1930 to 1932 he worked as a teacher at the master school for wood sculpture in Bad Warmbrunn / Lower Silesia , led by Cirillo Dell'Antonio . From 1932 to 1934 he was given individual assignments in Wiesbaden and he was a course instructor in Bad Berleburg / Westphalia. This was followed by a job in the UFA construction and film group in Berlin in 1934/35 .

Zirnbauer moved to Dresden as a freelance artist in 1935 . There he developed a lively activity, especially as a garden, sacred and building sculptor, among others in collaboration with the church builder Martin Weber , the architectural office Lossow & Kühne and the architects Robert Witte, Adolf Muesmann and Josef Lamatsch von Waffenstein, who were theirs at the time Had their seat in Dresden. In those years he had exhibitions in the Dresden art gallery in the Lipsius-Bau ( Saxon Art Association ), in Wiesbaden and Breslau . In 1935 he met Gertrud Kunz (1902–1992) in Dresden. They married in 1937. On October 12, 1940, their son Rainer was born. Zirnbauer's call-up to the military took place in 1942. His studio including numerous works and the apartment at Hindenburgufer 12 (today: Käthe-Kollwitz-Ufer ) in the Johannstadt were in the bombing of Dresden on 13/14. Completely destroyed in February 1945 .

In May 1945 he returned from being an American prisoner of war and built a new life as a freelance artist in Passau . He lived at Postgasse 4 (today: Luragogasse 4; 1945–1955), Postgasse 2 (1955–1958) and Mozartstrasse 19 (1958–1970). The first studio (from 1945) was in Bräugasse 11 (studio shared with Ludovika Braun and Ivo Schaible ), then from 1951 in the garden house at Postgasse 4. From 1955 Otto Zirnbauer moved into the third studio in the garden of the Landbauamt in Passau's Innstadt ( Neutorgraben) and worked there until his death in 1970. This is where primarily stone sculptures for churches, fountains, facades as well as warriors and grave monuments were created. This building has since been demolished.

Otto Zirnbauer was not only the creator of his own works, but also a sought-after restorer. Among other things, he restored the stucco in the monastery churches of Rinchnach , Aldersbach and Vornbach , in the Episcopal Residence in Passau and the Saldenburg and restored numerous sculptures, for example the St. Nepomuk statue by Joseph Carl Hofer from 1759 in front of the Passau orphanage .

In 1949 he was a co-founder of the Kunstverein Passau e. V. He joined the Schlaraffia artists 'association in 1951 and was accepted into the Lampl Brotherhood in 1961 , the oldest still existing German citizens' association.

There were exhibitions of works by Otto Zirnbauer after 1945 at the Kunstverein Coburg (1950), in Schärding am Inn (1953), at the Kunstverein Passau (1964), in Fürstenzell (1965), in Obernzell (1966), in the Municipal Museum of Lake Constance in Friedrichshafen (1966) and in the Regensburg Art and Trade Association (1967).

Otto Zirnbauer died on November 10, 1970 after a serious illness in Passau . He is buried in the Innstadtfriedhof (forest cemetery). The grave stele is decorated with a portrait of Christ in relief from his hand.

On the occasion of his hundredth birthday, Otto-Zirnbauer-Straße was inaugurated in the Kohlbruck district of Passau in 2003 .

Works (selection - chronological)

Good Shepherd , approx. 1935–42 - Priest's Crypt I, Old Catholic Cemetery Dresden

Fischer , 1956 - Obernzell

Beam carrier , 1966 - Memorial for the pioneer barracks Passau, at the new location Dreiländerhalle Passau, 2006

Otto Zirnbauer's grave in the Innstadtfriedhof Passau with a portrait of Christ created by him

• Christ , Erbenheim cemetery chapel , linden wood, approx. 1932–35
• Child with three fish , garden sculpture, artificial stone, German Horticultural Exhibition Berlin 1933 - probably destroyed in the war
• Crucifixion and Resurrection , priest's grave of Catholic clergy, Frankfurt am Main , Blaubank, approx. 1935–42
• Good Shepherd , Priest's Crypt I Old Catholic Cemetery Dresden , approx. 1935–42
• Hl. Geist , Taufstein, St. Bernhard, Dresden , approx. 1935–42
• Bear group , Large Garden Portal, Dresden, approx. 1935–42
• Pismännchen (artificial stone) and a coat of arms each for Bavaria and Dresden (wood), Löwenbrauerei Dresden / beer garden at the main train station, approx. 1935–42 - probably destroyed in the war
• Duck and three bird baths in the rose garden for the Reichsgartenschau in Dresden in 1936 - probably destroyed in the war
• Madonna , wood, St. Georg parish church, Heidenau , approx. 1937–42
• Protective mantle Madonna (linden wood, height 2.20 m); Evangelist symbol, relief on the pulpit (Solnhofer slate, 1.40 × 1 m), St. Adalbert , Königsberg , 1938/39 - destroyed in the war
• Girder beam Pange lingua , St. Bonifatius, Wiesbaden (architect: Martin Weber ), pine wood, approx. 1938
• St. Barbara , sculpture above the main portal of the parish church St. Barbara, Niederlahnstein (architect: Martin Weber ), Trier sandstone (height 3.20 m), 1938
• St. Christophorus , Bad Brambach , artificial stone, approx. 1935–1939
• Hl. Geist , Katholische Hofkirche Dresden , wood, approx. 1935–42 - destroyed in the war
• Madonna im Rosenhag (linden wood, height 5 m) as well as wedding stalls Adam and Eve and wedding of Kanaa (oak), parish church St. Bartholomäus, Frankfurt-Zeilsheim (architect: Martin Weber ), 1940/41
• St. Elisabeth , Catholic Parish Church St. Elisabeth , Sondershausen , wood, 1941
• Cenotaph, St. Stephan Seminar, Passau , Lindenholz, 1945
• Missal desk, St. Stephan Cathedral , Passau , oak wood, 1945
• Sacred Heart Statue, St. Stephan Cathedral , Passau ; Dining altar, wood, 1945 - was later removed as part of a redesign of the interior
• Anna-Selbdritt , Holy Family , John the Baptist , Ilzstadtkirche Passau ; Side chapel, terracotta, 1945
• Madonna , relief, Propstei Passau , Danube Limestone, 1946
• St. Mary and St. Nicholas , Parish Church of St. Nicholas in Haag , Hauzenberg , Lindenholz, 1947
• Madonna , chapel in Wolfstein near Freyung, wood, 1947
• Four evangelists , lectern, St. Stephen's Cathedral , Passau , oak wood, 1947 - was later removed as part of a redesign of the interior
• Four ages , fountain, Simbach am Inn cemetery , 1948
• High altar Faith, Hope, Love and other sculptures, Karlsbach Church , Lindenholz, 1948/49
• St. Christopherus , Viechtach , linden wood (height 2.20 m), 1949
• High altar and Madonna with group of angels, Hals (Passau) , linden wood, 1949
• Swallow's nest , keystone, Auerbach / Passau school , artificial stone, 1949
• Festival badge for the 74th German Catholic Day in Passau in 1950 , sheet metal
• Innschiffer (granite) and Austrian and German coats of arms (Jura marble), Simbach am Inn customs office , 1950
• St. Josef , St. Stephan Seminar Passau , Lindenholz, 1950
• Mother of God , relief, Dorfbach (Ortenburg) / Lughof chapel, oak wood, 1951
• Copy of the Brüggemann Madonna from 1521 for St. Marien, Bordesholm , Lindenholz, 1953/54
• Dohle , Deggendorf Tax Office , Muschelkalk, 1953
• Portal relief, Passau Chamber of Commerce and Industry , granite, 1953
• Honor roll, Passau Agricultural School , Lindenholz, 1953
• Copy of the statue and column of Jacob's fountain from 1688 for the town square in Straubing , Eberwiesener Donaukalkstein, 1955
• Restoration of the Holy Trinity Column , Straubing, 1955
• St. Michael , Humanistic High School Passau , Kunststein, 1955
• Fischer , relief, Obernzell pumping station , limestone, 1956
• Mercy Seat, Eberhardsreuth Church , Lindenholz, 1957
• Tiburtius fountain, market square in Straubing , Danube Limestone, 1957
• Restoration of the St. Nepomuk statue by Joseph Carl Hofer (1759) in front of the Passau orphanage , 1957
• Copy of the St. Nepomuk statue by Joseph Carl Hofer (1759) for the Jochenstein Danube dam , Donaukalkstein, 1957
• Reading , relief, St. Anton Passau School , limestone, 1957
• Protective coat Madonna Marienheim Passau , artificial stone, 1957
• Priest's grave , Karlsbach (Waldkirchen) , 1957
• Three memorial plaques ( Castle , Golden Ship , Tilly ), Obernzell , Schiefer, 1958
• Last Supper , priest's grave, Passau Innstadtfriedhof , artificial stone, 1958
• Madonna , St. Valentin Passau , wood (height 1.80 m), 1958
• Pigeons , fountain, Vornbach am Inn cemetery , limestone, 1959
• Drinking people , relief, Kohlbruck waterworks, granite, 1959
• Portrait relief Abbot Theoderich, Untergriesbach , Juramarmor, 1959
• Marienleuchter, Erkersreuth Church (Selb) , wood, 1960
• Eagle stand, Untergriesbach church , oak wood, 1960
• Holy water font, St. Nikola Passau , private chapel of the Teutonic Sisters, 1960
• Way of the Cross, Eberhardsreuth Church , terracotta, 1960
• Hundsreib'n , stucco relief exterior facade at the corner of Große Klingergasse / Bratfischwinkel, Passau , 1960 - the work of art was destroyed during the renovation of the building in autumn 2009
• Auersberg coat of arms above the stage in the City Theater Passau , Lindenholz, 1960/61
• Pièta and holy water basin, Neukirchen vorm Wald church , linden wood, 1960
• Coat of arms of the municipality of Hals , Ries water tower , granite, 1961
• Coat of arms of the German Order, St. Nikola Passau , artificial stone, 1961
• Land consolidation column of thought, Schiefweg , Granit, 1961
• Petrus fish and pulpit, Germannsdorf church , Stuck, 1961
• Urochse , Freyung barracks , artificial stone (height 3.40 m), 1962
• Ur , Oberhausmuseum Passau / New Collection, Muschelkalk (22 cm), 1962
• Donau-Waller-Brunnen, Obernzell , artificial stone, 1962
• St. Gunther , Rinchnach Church (outer facade), artificial stone (height 3.05 m), 1962
• Goldener Steig , VDK -Heim Waldkirchen , granite, 1963
• Priest tombs in Lalling and Schwanenkirchen , granite, 1963
• Großgmainer Madonna , plaque for Großgmain / Salzburger Land, terracotta, 1963
• Medal of Merit of the City of Passau , bronze, 1964
• Restoration of Christ on the Scourge Column , Untergriesbach , 1964
• Peter Griesbacher memorial plaque, Egglham , sandstone, 1964
• Gender table, Haselbach (Lower Bavaria) , Untersbergermarmor, 1965
• St. Nepomuk fountain, Untergriesbach rectory , 1965
• Beam girders , Pionierkaserne Passau , artificial stone, 1966 - After the barracks were disbanded in 1997, the approximately three meter high sculpture was badly damaged when it was moved; After restoration by the sculptor Christian Zeitler, it has been standing on Pionierstrasse near the Dreiländerhalle in Passau-Kohlbruck since 2006
• City seal Passau , bronze minted, 1966
• Marian column (copy of the figure by Joseph Ignaz Reisser from 1712), Kirchplatz Vornbach , Stein, 1967
• Protective coat Madonna , Münster (Steinach) , artificial stone, 1967
• Eagle owls , passage from the small parade ground to St. Nikola Passau , relief stone, 1967
• Altar St. Gertraud (Passau) (design: Porsky, execution: Zirnbauer), 1968
• Restoration of the Kreuzweg Geiersberg, Deggendorf , 1968
• Penguin pyramid , fountain, Mariahilf retirement home garden, Passau , bronze, 1968
• Fischbub , fountain figure in the courtyard of Griesbach Castle , Stein, 1969

His war memorials can be found in Neuhaus am Inn (1946), Passau ( Humanistic Gymnasium , 1954), Passau-Auerbach (1955), Neureichenau (1955), St. Georg / Waldkirchen (1956), Schaibing (Untergriesbach) (1957), Germannsdorf (1957), Ries (Passau) (1958), Büchlberg (1962).

He created numerous private tombs , u. a. for Dr. Hensler ( resurrected , Heidelberg ), Jokisch ( floating soul , Leipziger Südfriedhof ), Prager (Innstadtfriedhof Passau / Waldfriedhof, 1946), Stockbauer-Gruft ( Pièta , Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1949), Raffalt (Innstadtfriedhof Passau / Hochfriedhof, 1949 - removed later) , Prof. Burger (Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1951), Hofbauer ( Straubing , 1952), Dirian ( Obernzell , 1953), Anetzeder ( praying hands , Obernzell, 1953), tree gardener ( Christ's head , Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1953), Grimm (Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1955), Professor Seitz (Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1956), Schuhbauer ( Bogenberg , 1959), Oberneder ( Untergriesbach , 1960), District Administrator Donderer ( Resurrection , Obernzell, 1963), Ramisch ( Praying Hands , Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1966), Dr. Eser ( resurrected , Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1967), Syndic Dr. Bauer (Innstadtfriedhof Passau, 1969).

Numerous house signs on private and public buildings from 1945–1968 in the Passau area, as well as garden and small sculptures , woodcuts and watercolors in private ownership from 1925–1970 in Berlin , Dresden , London , Munich , Passau, St. Gallen and others Wiesbaden .

A complete list of works is in family ownership.

literature

• Franz Mader : Tausend Passauer - Biographical Lexicon on Passau's city history . 1st edition. Neue-Presse-Verlags-GmbH, Passau 1995, ISBN 3-924484-98-8 , p. 264 (co-editor: Stadtarchiv Passau).
• September 18, 1903. Sculptor Otto Zirnbauer , in: Franz Mader: Passau 1903. What happened a hundred years ago in the three-river city , Passau 2002, p. 10.
• Portrait of the day: Otto Zirnbauer 50 years old , in: Passauer Neue Presse , September 19, 1953.
• Portrait of the day: Otto Zirnbauer 60 years old , in: Passauer Neue Presse , September 18, 1963.

Web links

Commons : Otto Zirnbauer  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Wording of the testimony: “Testimony. Owner of this, Otto Zirnbauer, was from October 4th. 1919 to April 1st, 1921 as an apprentice and during this time I gained my complete satisfaction through particular diligence and quick comprehension in ornamental and figural areas. Passau, August 17, 1921. Franz Kruis, sculptor. "
2. ^ Hermann Muthesius: Die Ostdeutsche Werkstätten in Neisse , in: Illustrirte Zeitung , Leipzig, August 16, 1928 with mention of Otto Zirnbauer as well as illustrations of majolica created by him
3. ↑ Otto Zirnbauer noted the following works in a list of works he himself compiled under the item 1925–28, Neisse / Oberschlesien , Ostdeutsche Werkstätten (Professor Zutt) : “ Bauplastik 'Bauer' Majolika, Rokitnitz b. Bytom , 2 m; [instead of repetition symbols added: building sculpture] 'Barbara' [majolica, Rokitnitz b. Beuthen ,] 2 m; Putto - registry office, Neisse majolica; Madonna relief [- registry office, Neisse majolica]; about 100 small sculptures for terracotta and majolica ”(quote unchanged); Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the works. In a separate catalog raisonné from the 1960s, in which he only lists works that he created in Thuringia, Saxony, Silesia and East Prussia up to 1942, he mentions “4 life-size building sculptures: farmer's wife, miner, Barbara and Madonna”.
4. ↑ Unchanged quote from Otto Zirnbauer's catalog raisonné, which he himself compiled: 1928–1930, collaboration with Professor Hensler , Wiesbaden : “ Ehrenmal Mainz - Bahnverwaltung; Pieta - Holy Cross Church Frankfurt / Main ; St.Josef - Bad Soden; War memorial Weeze / Lower Rhine; [instead of repeated symbols added: war memorial] Neroberg - Wiesbaden; Well nymph Reisingerbrunnen Wiesbaden; Nativity scene Heilig-Kreuzkirche Frankfurt / Main; Ecce homo [Holy Cross Church Frankfurt / Main]; Bad Kreuznach war memorial; St. Konrad Freiburg / Brsg. ; Crucifixion group - Limburg / Lahn , cathedral; Majolica nursing home, Patschkau ; Portrait of Frhr.v.Stein - bronze; 'Wanderer' - Limburg / Lahn Youth Hostel, Muschelkalk "
5. ↑ Unchanged quote from Otto Zirnbauer's catalog raisonné, which he himself compiled: 1930–1932, Bad Warmbrunn : “ Adam and Eva - Eiche; Sitting nude (female) - plaster of paris; Child nude (sitting) plaster; Nativity scene - terracotta; Badge - Benedikt von Hase - Bronze “; the crib is privately owned; Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the other works.
6. ↑ As of October 1, 1935, the registration form notes Mathildenstrasse 35 / ground floor as the place of residence. This house was completely destroyed in the war. It was located roughly at today's Mathildenstrasse 19. After his marriage, Otto Zirnbauer and his wife moved to Hindenburgufer 12 on April 20, 1937 (today mostly green space; at that time a south-western corner house at the confluence of Gneisenaustrasse, today's one in a cul-de-sac Turning place ending Bundschuhstraße). The studio was on the ground floor, the apartment on the second floor. On March 16, 1940, they moved from the second floor to the ground floor, so that the apartment and studio were on one level.
7. ↑ Mention in: Dresdner Künstlerbund (Hrsg.): Great Dresden Art Exhibition 1941 Painting, Plastic, Graphic from June 27th – 20th. September, Brühlsche Terrasse , Dresden 1941
8. ↑ Works by other artists from the private collection of Otto Zirnbauer, including the sculpture Madonna by Arnold Hensler and pictures by Josef Hegenbarth , were also destroyed in the bombing of the house.
9. ↑ Passau Diocese Gazette , Heimatglocken , 12th year / no. 2
10. ^ Schlaraffenreych: Castra Batava (= Passau); Schlaraffenname: Til the Lindenschneider, Duke of Stuck and Stone
11. ↑ Date of admission according to the certificate: November 21, 1961
12. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , July 11, 1950; Main-Presse , July 11, 1950; Coburger Tageblatt , July 10, 1950
13. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , September 28, 1953
14. ↑ 15 years of the Kunstverein. Catalog for the anniversary exhibition , 1964
15. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , November 6, 1961
16. ^ Cultural exchange between Friedrichshafen Passau and Land . Exhibition catalog. 1966
17. ↑ bbk 1967 . Catalog, Regensburg 1967
18. ^ Obituary: Passauer Neue Presse , November 13, 1970
19. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , September 30, 2003
20. ↑ Illustration of the Schutzmantelmadonna in: Passauer Bistumsblatt , May 3, 1953
21. ↑ Fig. In the Yearbook for Christian Art 1940 . New set of year folder II, p. 42
22. ^ German Society of Christian Art , annual folder 1938
23. ↑ Fig. In the Yearbook for Christian Art 1940 . New series of year folder II, p. 32
24. ↑ Der Feuerreiter , July 29, 1939, p. 480
25. ↑ Entry in the chronicle of the parish ( memento of the original from November 13, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
26. ↑ Illustration of the Madonna in the Rosenhag on the title page of Das Licht . Journal of Christian Life, April 1955
27. ↑ Illustration of the statue
28. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Bistumsblatt , June 30, 1946
29. ↑ Electronic home book of the town of Hauzenberg
30. ↑ M. Schmidt-Hell: The creator of the four ages. A visit to Otto Zirnbauer's studio , in: Passauer Neue Presse , October 31, 1950
31. ^ Passau Diocese Gazette , November 21, 1948, p. 4
32. ↑ Figures in: Passauer Neue Presse , May 5, 1949; Passau Diocese Gazette , April 3, 1949
33. ↑ Figures in: Passauer Neue Presse , June 27, 1950; Passau Diocese Gazette , July 2, 1950
34. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Neue Presse , Heimatglocken , September 1953
35. ^ Passau Diocese Gazette , January 14, 1951; Passauer Neue Presse , January 9, 1951
36. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , January 30, 1954; Holsteinischer Courier , August 25, 1997, p. 21
37. ↑ Images in: Passauer Neue Presse , Heimatglocken , May 1955, page 3; Straubinger Tagblatt , May 14, 1955
38. ↑ Illustration in: Straubinger Tagblatt , May 30, 1956
39. ↑ Figures in: Passauer Neue Presse , April 11, 1957, p. 64; Passau Diocese Gazette , April 21, 1957; until 1968 the statue was Christian Jorhan the Elder. Ä. attributed to; for reallocation see Gottfried Schäffer : Joseph Carl Hofer - a forgotten Passau sculptor , in: Ostbairische Grenzmarken , 1968
40. ↑ Figures in: Passauer Neue Presse , May 20, 1957; Passau Diocese Gazette, May 26, 1957
41. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Neue Presse, May 25, 1959
42. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Bistumsblatt , November 17, 1957
43. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Neue Presse , July 16, 1959
44. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Bistumsblatt , January 1, 1961
45. ^ Illustration in: Passauer Neue Presse , April 3, 1960
46. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , November 10, 1961; Illustration of the coat of arms
47. ↑ Images in: Passauer Neue Presse , November 9, 1962; Tiroler Nachrichten , July 24, 1963
48. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Bistumsblatt , June 11, 1961
49. ↑ Illustration in: Passauer Neue Presse , May 15, 2004
50. ↑ Figures in Passauer Bistumsblatt , April 19, 1964; Passauer Neue Presse , April 13, 1964
51. ↑ Kunstführer Vornbach am Inn , No. 914, 1st edition 1969, p. 14; Illustration also in Passauer Neue Presse , January 18, 1971
52. ↑ The relief marked the location of the club hall of the Schlaraffia artists' association , of which Otto Zirnbauer was a member.
53. ^ Passauer Neue Presse , May 13, 1969
54. ↑ The memorial was moved from its original location in front of the parish church to the cemetery entrance in 1995, cf. Passauer Neue Presse , July 5, 2015 Article with a picture of the statue at the new location