Stephan Balkenhol - Man with a Mask (2020)

Stephan Balkenhol – “Man with a Mask” – A sculpture between anonymity and identity

With his sculpture "Man with a Mask," Stephan Balkenhol created a work that focuses on the question of human identity and its concealment. The figure depicts a man in an upright posture, his face covered by a mask—a powerful symbol of distance, protection, but also of the concealment of one's own self. As is so often the case in Balkenhol's work, the tension arises between the clearly recognizable human figure and the element that simultaneously alienates it and makes it open to new interpretation.

Motivically, "Man with a Mask" represents the play with roles that people assume in everyday life and the ambivalence between closeness and strangeness. The bronze execution, carefully crafted and hand-painted, emphasizes the figure's presence and brings the surface to life. Despite the mask, the person behind it remains tangible – realistic, approachable, and at the same time mysterious.

Balkenhol's sculptures are in demand worldwide and can be found in important museums, including the M-HKA in Antwerp, the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. In addition, his works shape the cityscape in numerous metropolises such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Hanover, Bayreuth, Rome, Paris, London and San Francisco.

"Man with a Mask" is more than just a depiction of a veiled figure—it is a commentary on our times, on identity, protection, and insecurity. With artisanal precision and a reduced formal language, Balkenhol succeeds in creating a work that appears timeless yet highly contemporary.

The most important features of the artwork

About Stephan Balkenhol

The German artist Stephan Balkenhol is considered an internationally recognized figure in contemporary art. He became known for his striking wooden sculptures with painted surfaces and his bronze figures, which possess an unmistakable recognizability. Balkenhol combines traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, creating works that maintain a strong presence both in public spaces and in private collections.

His works are exhibited in renowned museums, including the M-HKA – Museum of Contemporary Art in Antwerp, the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. At the same time, his sculptures shape cityscapes in Hamburg, Leipzig, Hanover and Bayreuth as well as internationally in Rome, Paris, London, San Francisco and Salzburg – even historic places such as the Roman Forum in Rome house his works.

Balkenhol's sculptures combine realistic human representation with subtle conceptual and symbolic elements, allowing each figure to tell its own story. Due to high demand on the art market, his works regularly achieve top prices and enjoy great popularity among collectors, museums, and galleries.

At Masterpicks, we offer three works by Stephan Balkenhol individually or together—all immediately available to collectors and art enthusiasts.