Biography and History M. I. Hummel

Goebel M.I. Hümmel

On the 21^st of may 1909, Berta Hümmel is born the third child from a total of seven. The family Hümmel lived in Massing an der Rott in Germany. As a young child Berta loved to draw, mostly she drew children and animals in their own world nearby where she lived, considering the weather was nice. At the Massinger Volkschule and the Hogere Meisjesschool she developed her artistical talents. Her father stimulated her to use her special drawing talent. Berta went on to study at the Academy for applied art in München in 1927, she left in 1931 at the top of her class. Religion has always played an important role in Berta’s life. Art and religion melted together into her big passion. Motivated, and stronger because of her friendship with the Franciscaner Sisters, they regarded art as a priority, she also decided to join the convent. When doing this Berta had to say goodbye to her family and her maiden name from august 1933 onwards she was called Sister Maria Innocentia in the convent life. One year later she says her order vow at Fraciscanessen in Giessen. It seems obvious that one of Sister Maria Innocentia’s daily activites was to teach drawing at the Fransiscaanse specifically girls school, where people strive to stimulate the talents of the students. The sisters also focus on the health of babies and child care. They take care of orphans, homeless and extremely sick children. More than one school is run under the supervision of the mother house, the order of the Franciscanessen in Giessen, that will celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2004. The young sister has a talent for modeling and has the inspiration for the drawing of little child figures. She draws characters of youthful joy and depicts the behavior of the playing children in the convent garden. She creates a completely new style so that the children are typical in her pictures, she draws sketch books full. Soon post cards are made from her drawings which are a success. Immediately at the first sighting Sister Maria Innocentia is a hit. Her drawing is a success. Even according to art lovers and experts. The German porcelain fabricator Franz Goebel is very touched at the presentation, he sees a lot more than just drawings and post cards, he gets an idea and gets to work. Eventually he knows how to give form to the drawn girls together with his master designer Reinhold Unger and Arthur Möller. They have created little porcelain figures. Then they need to negotiate with the Sister in the convent, Franz Goebel has a talk with Sister Hümmel in the abbess in Sissen. Together they come to an agreement and sign the papers. Goebel gets the monopoly to create the three dimensional pieces of art. They started production with a borrowed patent the “Goebelit”, in 1934 the faithful production of the “hummel statues” started, they were made from soft porcelain. The contracts made 70 years ago still stand, W. Goebel porcelain factory has since then been exported the Hummel figurines across the whole world. Sadly M.I Hummel died at a young age of 37, thanks to her Hummel children she lives on a little. The artistes life wish was “Ich will Freude schaffen”, or “I want to create joy”, in this she managed to succeed. The little figurines, exact copies of the drawings, really show a child’s happy innocence, their admiration and awe about the big world , their openness and their ability to fully trust. It is completely true that little Hummels bring a lot of joy. The power of this success is mostly due to Berta Hümmel’s drawing talent. Goebel works very securely with the figurines production. He always worked together with the Sisters in the convent in Siessen. No Hummel figure will be created without their permission . A special very able company of artists creates the authentic Hummel figures in the porcelain factory. With the creation of every little clay model people are very critical, they are also critical about the hand painting. The artist watched her subjects carefully, their behavior, their stance and mostly their eyes. Important and great to know is that a part of the profit is turned over to the convent for their loving cooperation, their millions of activities and their educational organizations. Sister Maria Innocentia Hümmel has done her maiden name proud. Hummels became an understanding, they are sweet little figures, eupeptic children. The origination of the name Hümmel is vague. The explanatory meaning would be that it comes from “Homp” , or hop, hopping, you’d be able to make mobile little figures as sprightly as a bumblebee. Whichever it is, we will stick to Berta’s adorable, sweet Hummels. Original Hummels are modern day treasures, the incredible craftsmanship really makes every single figure extremely valuable. Authentic Hummel products are easily recognized. To identify them you will always find the official Goebel brand marking and M.I Hummel’s signature on the products, together they are the authenticity proof. As is often the case with valuable objects people are quickly tempted into becoming collectors. The sharing of a certain type of love for a product brings alike thinking minds together to share stories and experiences, “which the heart is full of”. This is how the M.I Hummel club started in 1977. Different associations in numerous countries, each with thousands of Hummel lovers. The amount of members grows to an impressive amount of more than 300.000 in 2002. In the club magazine they can get a lot of information for example different activities for different countries, about Hummel production , the newest editions, they also get certain privileges. Hummel figures are thankful gifts, they exude friendship and optimism and a love for life. Goebel’s collection is enormous, so many figures in different capacities with their child like joy or their seriousness, Hummels which are imitating “big people”. Because of the low dollar exchange, the export to America stagnated in 2008. That is the reason why production came to a halt at the end of this year. At the beginning of February 2009 it was announced that the production would be starting back up in the same factory in Rödental. This time under different management. The hummel manufacturer GMBH comes with a smaller collection and stricter limitations which will stimulate this idea of collector’s items. Also the jubilee edition is revealed. The club restarted. We of course remain club dealers! © Hesemans Breda 2012