Sculptor - Friedrich Gornik
Title - Cowboy on Horse
Sand Cast Bronze
A. Rubenstein Foundry
Circa 1895
8 3/4" height by 12 1/4" length
(22.3 cm by 31 cm)
Friedrich Gornik was born in Austria in the later part of the 19th century. He studied sculpture at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts. His first works were small models of animals done for the many porcelain factories in Austria. After several years working for the porcelain manufactures, he started having his works cast in bronze. His sculptures in bronze include dogs and farm animals, and several large models of mounted horsemen. He also created small decorative items like desk sets, inkwells, and bell pushes.
Like Carl Kauba, Gornik was fascinated by the American West with its Indians and Cowboys. This figure of a Cowboy on his horse is one of his early works and reflects Gornik's interest in American Western folklore. The action is well captured as the Cowboy rides with his lasso twirling above his head. It was cast by the Arthur Rubenstein foundry of Vienna and has that foundries mark on the base. The bronze has a dark brown patina and is mounted on the original 1 1/8" thick green marble base.
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