Benno Elkan Obe
Benno Elkan Obe;Benno Elkan
Place: Dortmund
Born: 1877
Death: 1960
Biography:
Benno Elkan OBE was a prominent sculptor and medallist, born in Dortmund, Germany in 1877. He is best known for his numerous monuments, busts, and medals in Germany and England, including the big Menorah standing in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem.
Early Life and Education
Benno Elkan was born to a Jewish family in Dortmund, Germany. He studied at the Gymnasium in Dortmund and later attended the Château du Rosey in Rolle, near Lausanne. He also received training as a painter at the Royal Academy in Munich and Karlsruhe.
Sculpting Career
Benno Elkan's sculpting career took him to various cities, including Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt am Main. He eventually moved to London following the rise of the Nazis in Germany in 1933. His works include tombs, busts, medals, and monuments, which are exhibited in many museums in Europe.
- Benno Elkan created the first statue in Britain of Sir Walter Raleigh, now at Greenwich.
- He designed Frankfurt's Great War Memorial, which was removed by the Nazis in 1933 and re-erected in 1946.
- Benno Elkan also created a bronze candelabra with Biblical figures at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, New College, Oxford, and Buckfast Abbey.
- His two great bronze candelabra at Westminster Abbey feature about 80 figures.
Major Works
Some of Benno Elkan's notable works include:
- Freedom Monument in Mainz, which was destroyed in 1940.
- A lead Orangutan group titled "A Jungle Family" at Edinburgh Zoo.
- Mowgli's Jungle Friends, a plaque in lead on the Rudyard Kipling Memorial Building, Windsor.
- A bronze candelabra with Biblical figures at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, New College, Oxford, and Buckfast Abbey.
- Two great bronze candelabra of the old and new testament with about 80 figures erected in Westminster Abbey.
Legacy
Benno Elkan's legacy continues to be celebrated through his numerous works, which can be found in many museums in Europe. His contributions to the world of sculpture and medallist are undeniable, and his work will continue to inspire future generations. Notable works by Benno Elkan can be found on https://Wikioo.org/@@/Benno-Elkan-Obe, which features a comprehensive collection of his sculptures and medals. For more information on Benno Elkan's life and work, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benno_Elkan.
