Sculpture Spring

Exhibit of the Month 5 / 2018

Johann Rordorf, director of the Specialized Modeling and Toy School in Horní Litvínov, created a sculpture from fired clay. Sculpture Spring is a bust of a girl from a series of allegories representing the four seasons and is dated to 1880.

dimensions: 360 x 470 x 255 mm
material: fired clay, colored
date: 1880
author: Rordorf Jean (Johann)
accession number: 28/93
detail of signature and date.
Johann Rordorf (1844 – 1901)

RORDORF JOHANN (JEAN)

Director of the specialized toy school in Hory Sv. Kateřiny, later in Horní Litvínov (1874 - 1901). He was born on February 19, 1844, in Vienna to a goldsmith master Heinrich Rordorf (1814 - 1867). He received his professional education in Vienna, where he attended the sculpture studio of Prof. Fernkorn, director of the imperial foundry, and his successor Prof. Tonniger from the age of 14, completing his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts.

After his studies, he remained in Vienna and collaborated with well-known sculptors on large commissions. In his own work, he preferred smaller sculptures and also created models for leading Viennese goldsmith workshops.

The work of the young artist attracted the attention of the professional public, and in 1873 he received an award at the World Exhibition in Vienna for the sculpture "Sleeping Beauty".

In 1874, a specialized toy school was established in Hory Sv. Kateřiny, and Johann Rordorf was entrusted with its management. After five years, the school was moved to Horní Litvínov, where its director also transferred. Thanks to his pedagogical skills, the school gained a reputation in the surrounding area. Professors and students presented the school at many exhibitions in Austria-Hungary and abroad, achieving numerous awards. The school was nationalized in 1882.

Despite the demanding work, Johann Rordorf did not forget his own creative activity. His range was wide. From collaboration on monumental sculptures in his native Vienna, through official commissions for the city and private clients, funerary sculpture, artistic crafts, to free creation. In this, he mainly focused on smaller sculptures with genre themes and allegories. In these works, his amazing sense of detail and precise modeling stood out.

Johann Rordorf was a member of the executive committee for the administration of the Litvínov Museum, founded in 1898. He was married and had two daughters, Anna and Paula. Paulina's premature death deeply affected him. Although he is almost forgotten today, he was one of the significant figures of the Litvínov area in his time, and his work gained recognition not only at home but also in Europe.

He died on March 7, 1901, from pneumonia and was buried in the family tomb in Horní Litvínov.