From the Albert Schweitzer collection

Memorabilia and art works of his early Africa collection

Photo: Albert Schweitzer with Emmy Martin, female face mask "okuyi", Gabon

On the 11th of November we will be auctioning untold art works from the Albert Schweitzer collection coming from the Emmy Martin estate.

 

Auction in Wurzburg:
Saturday, 11 November 2017 starting at 2 pm 

Preview in Wurzburg:
Wed 8 until Fri 10 November from 10 am until 7 pm 
Sat 11 November from 9 am until 1.30 pm 

 

 

There are untold treasures from the Albert Schweitzer collection and his time in Lambaréné in West Africa. He gave this pieces, over the years to his "faithful" companion Emmy Martin, which have remained to this day in her families possession. Some of these works have dated, hand-written dedications to her.

 

14 works of art are in the legacy, including classic Gabun masks from different periods. The most important face mask is from the Lumbo, that was produced before 1913 by the creators of the so-called "White Masks of Ogooué". This artifacts were given to Albert Schweitzer in gratitude for his work in Africa.

 

The "jungle hospital" in Lambaréné founded by Albert Schweitzer

 

The worlds most famous “jungle doctor” and Nobel Peace Prize winner wasn’t just a doctor of theology, philosophy and medicine but was also a "traveller between the worlds", "world citizen" and "admonisher for peace", as the Nobel Peace Prize committee acknowledged.


 
A life-size, bronze portrait bust of Albert Schweitzer made by Fritz Behn (probably after 1951), plus a pair of Albert Schweitzers organists hands in bronze remind us of him. They also form the start of this collection.

 

Bust Albert Schweitzer
Bronze, artist: Fritz Behn,
after 1951, sign. F.Behn; H: 34 cm

Provenance:
Albert Schweitzer, Lambarene, Gabun - Emmy Martin, Alsace - Hans Martin (born 1910), son of Emmy Martin - Suzanne Leiberich, born Martin, daughter of Hans Martin - until today family-owned

Pair of euphonias-hands Albert Schweitzer
Bronze, artist: Louis Mayer (1869-1969), H: approx. 22 cm

Provenance:
Albert Schweitzer, Lambarene, Gabun - Emmy Martin, Alsace - Hans Martin (born 1910), son of Emmy Martin - Suzanne Leiberich, born Martin, daughter of Hans Martin - until today family-owned

 

 

All items in this collection have never been on the art market. Coming from the Emmy Martin estate they have remained to this day in her families possession.