abstract
| - Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel's works were discovered by Franz Goebel after a small publisher began printing her artwork as postcards. Goebel started production of the figurines under the authorization of the convent of Siessen. Although Sister Hummel died in 1946 from tuberculosis, Goebel carried her legacy of her design. The first Hummel figurines were sold in 1935. The early figurines were all based on the drawings and paintings of children by Sister Hummel and much of the art was done in the 1930s. In addition to figurines of children, there are figurines of saints—a stylistic departure from the figurines of playful children. There are also figurines that depict cartoon characters like Bart Simpson and Snoopy. Goebel announced on June 18, 2008 that the Hummel line was to be discontinued and production ceased as of October 2008. However, on February 9, 2009, it was announced that Manufaktur Rodental GmbH, planned to resume M.I. Hummel production in February 2009. Rodental, a newly founded company by investors, initially planned to start with around 30 employees.
|