Sculpture

By Hugo Liisberg

Denmark, early 1900s

Hugo Liisberg (1896–1958) was a Danish sculptor and ceramicist celebrated for his dynamic depictions of the animal kingdom, where naturalistic observation meets dramatic tension. This bronze sculpture of an eagle striking a swan exemplifies his ability to capture the raw vitality of nature in motion. The raised wings and twisting bodies convey both elegance and struggle, a theme Liisberg often explored in his public commissions such as Ørnebrønden in Silkeborg 1931 and De vilde svaner in Odense 1951.

Executed with a rich, green-brown patina, the work reveals Liisberg’s sculptural precision and sensitivity to surface texture, hallmarks of his practice that extended from monumental public works to smaller bronzes and ceramic figures produced for Royal Copenhagen and Saxbo. This piece reflects his enduring fascination with birds and the dramatic interplay between predator and prey, offering a powerful study of movement and form.

Liisberg’s artistic significance is underscored by his presence in major museum collections, including Vejen Kunstmuseum, Museum Sønderjylland, Trapholt, Statens Museum for Kunst, KØS – Museum for kunst i det offentlige rum, ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, and Esbjerg Kunstmuseum.

Signed.