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Ernst Blensdorf (1896-1976)
Ernst Blensdorf was born in Schleswig, Germany.
In the 1920s he began to establish himself as a
German Expressionist wood carver. He was a
passionate pacifist; this put him at odds with the
rising Nazi regime in Germany at this time. They
burned down his studio and he fled Germany
to settle first in Norway and later in the United
Kingdom. Following a period of internment, he
came to settle in Somerset in 1941.
Ernst Blensdorf made his living by carving and
teaching from his home in Bruton, where he
was introduced to the beauty of Somerset Elm
which became his favoured carving material. His
subject matter was predominantly figurative,
created using free flowing, abstracted forms.
The elm wood was then polished to reveal its rich
warm colour and famous swirling grain.
The elm wood sculpture Annunciation has graced
the Lady Chapel off the South Transept. In the
story of the annunciation the angel Gabriel
announces the coming birth of Jesus to Mary.
Blendsorf 's figure has usually been taken to be
the angel, its pose suggesting Gabriel rushing
to deliver the news. However, might it be Mary,
one hand open to the angel's message, the other
turned towards her heart in acceptance?
Blensdorf only received recognition of his work
after his death in 1976. He became known as the
Sculptor of Bruton. His work can be seen at the
Bishops Palace in Wells, The Bruton Museum
and Kings School Bruton in Somerset.
Annunciation, 1957
Elm Wood
115 x 45 cm
Acquired in 1978
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