Stephan Balkenhol – Kopfsäule Mann, 2020 – Wood

Wawa wood, polychromed.

Signed & dated.

Exhibited at the Lehmbruck Museum and included in the catalogue.

'Kopfsäule Mann' by Stephan Balkenhol is a wood sculpture comprising a carved male head mounted atop a thick square timber column. The face is rendered with Balkenhol's characteristic chisel-marked surface — flat planes of pale, flesh-toned paint meet at abrupt angles across the cheeks and brow, while small touches of blue define the eyes and muted rose marks the lips. The hair and brows are blocked in dark grey-green. At 170 cm tall, the column dominates, reducing the head to a compact crown above a monumental plinth. Balkenhol, who trained under Erwin Heerich at the Hamburg Hochschule für Bildende Künste, works deliberately against the tradition of heroic figuration — the column form references classical busts and totem poles alike, yet the plainness of the face and the visible tool marks insist on the ordinary rather than the exalted.

Stephan Balkenhol (Germany, 1957) is a celebrated sculptor known for his painted wooden figures that combine simplicity with emotional depth. Often depicting everyday people, his works explore themes of identity and humanity while maintaining a sense of mystery. Balkenhol’s art bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary expression, earning him recognition worldwide.

Stephan Balkenhol

Kopfsäule Mann, 2020

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Wood

WoodWood is one of the most ancient and versatile materials used in creating art. It has served as a base for paintings, brush handles, pens, and pencils, as well as for easels, wood engraving, woodcut, woodblock printing, and sculpting. Various types of wood, such as oak, maple, and pine, are commonly used in these artistic applications.

Edition

Unique work

Authenticity Guaranteed
Insured Shipping
Online Since 2005

●Inventory 20166

●Signed

●Comes with gallery invoice and certificate

●Any questions?

Sculpture / Object

request info

Stephan Balkenhol

Tapestry

EUR 12,000

Stephan Balkenhol

Köpfe (W-large), 2006

Tapestry

EUR 12,000

Stephan Balkenhol

Köpfe (B), 2006

Tapestry

EUR 6,500

Stephan Balkenhol

Köpfe (G), 2006

Tapestry

EUR 6,500

Stephan Balkenhol

Sculpture / Object

Acclaimed for his carvings that depict the human-form in a multitude of poses and positions, Stephan Balkenhol is a German sculptor and painter. His sculptures are often carved from blocks of wood with the use of traditional tools – his work is then transformed into a recognisable form with the use of a chisel, light painting of the surface and the creation of highlights and shadows through gradation. His earliest works included the nude form of a human atop a pedestal, works that recalled classical Greek busts – his attention to detail highlights such features as the curve of the eyebrow or the volume of the lip. Balkenhol’s most recent works are largely created with no apparent emotion to detect, and no obvious political or social critique; of this, Balkenhol has stated, “I’m perhaps proposing a story and not telling the end, just giving a beginning or fragment. There is still a lot for the spectator to complete.”

Popular, Collecting - February 21, 2025

Sculpture 101: From Clay to Bronze – How Sculptures Are Made

Discover the art of sculpture! Explore traditional techniques like carving and bronze casting, plus modern innovations like 3D printing. A journey in creativity!Read More

Collecting - March 25, 2025

Understanding Editioned Sculptures: What Collectors Need to Know

Explore the value of editioned sculptures, from bronze to electric art. Learn how edition size, material, and artist impact collectability.Read More

Popular, Collecting - July 23, 2025

Sculpture Care and Display: From Plinths to Pedestals in Your Home

Learn how to display and care for sculpture at home—from lighting tips to material care—so your art can truly shine in any space.Read More

Artwork by Miles Aldridge

What is contemporary art?

Contemporary art refers to avant-garde or innovative art created in the recent past or present day. The exact starting point of contemporary art varies depending on the institution, often tied to the founding year of museums or galleries that showcase the style. Contemporary art is characterized by its focus on current ideas, diverse media, and the exploration of new concepts and techniques.

Explore »

Stephan Balkenhol

Kopfsäule Mann, 2020

Form

Medium

Size

Edition

Price

Artworks

Sold

Biography

Bio