12 Facts About Ludwig Gies

Ludwig Gies was a German sculptor, medallist and professor of art.

Ludwig Gies is best known for his crucifix in Lubeck Cathedral, vandalized in March 1922 and later considered a typical work of degenerate art, and his famous Federal Eagle, which is hung at the front of the Plenary Hall of the Reichstag in Berlin.

Ludwig Gies's education is poorly documented: it is uncertain whether he attended secondary school or just eight years of primary school.

Ludwig Gies attended the Municipal Trade School in Munich from 1902 to 1904.

Ludwig Gies presumably studied sculpture there for four semesters until 1910.

Shortly afterwards, World War I broke out, in which Ludwig Gies did not participate as a combatant for reasons of health but was conscripted for labour.

In Berlin, Ludwig Gies led the class in die-cutting and modelling for goldsmiths and chasers, and from 1924, at the United State Schools for Fine and Applied Arts, the modelling class.

In 1957, Ludwig Gies, a professing Catholic, received from the hands of the Federal President Theodor Heuss the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Ludwig Gies died in Cologne and was buried in the Melaten Cemetery.

Ludwig Gies's works are characterized by low or sunk reliefs, often fantastically or unusually cut, and a style partly Cubist and partly late Expressionist.

Ludwig Gies is known for small sculptures of clay and for bronze medals.

Ludwig Gies is considered the founder of the Rhenish School of Medal Work.