M.I. Hummel products are the result of a successful partnership between
W.Goebel Porzellanfabrik and a talented German artist, Sister Maria
Innocentia Hummel. Her images of youthful innocence have been transformed
by the Master Artists of Goebel into original M.I. Hummel works of
art.
Berta Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909 with a wonderful gift --
an instinct for observing her world and translating her observations
into drawings, especially of children. In 1927, Berta enrolled in
Munich's famed Academy of Applied Arts.
Religion had always been important to Berta. She befriended two Franciscan
Sisters from a teaching order that emphasized the arts. Berta decided
to enter the Convent of Siessen upon graduation in 1931, and three
years later, took the name Maria Innocentia.
The young Sister found herself in a setting that encouraged her talents.
Soon, small German publishers began printing some of her artwork in
the form of postcards. These charming cards came to the attention
of Franz Goebel, the head of a porcelain company bearing his name.
He was in search of a subject for a new line of figurines. And here
it was! Franz Goebel proposed to Sister Hummel the idea of transforming
her drawings into figurines. An agreement was reached with the Convent
granting Goebel the sole right to create three-dimensional works of
art based on Sister Hummel's drawings.
The artist worked personally with Goebel Master Sculptors and Painters
to create the new products. The first figurines were introduced in
1935 and were immediately successful. Tragically, Sister Hummel died
in 1946 at only 37 years of age. But her artistic legacy was carried
on by Goebel. Even today, Goebel artists discuss each new M.I. Hummel
work of art with an Artistic Board at the Convent of Siessen. Standards
of craftsmanship established more than six decades ago have been strictly
preserved. And M.I.Hummel figurines continue to charm the world.
