Oswald Dubach

Switzerland

Person

Bildhauer

Born 22 October 1884 near Moscow, Russia Died 19 May 1950 Dornach, Switzerland Oswald Dubach studied graphic design from 1902 at the Kunstgewerbeschule in St. Gallen and later at the art academies in Paris and Munich, also spending time in Italy. After returning to Russia in 1908, he undertook extensive study trips to the Caucasus, the Urals, and Lapland. In 1911 he was imprisoned for several months on political grounds. Following his release, he moved to Switzerland, spent an extended period in Paris, first met Rudolf Steiner, and then relocated to Munich. From 1913 he worked as a sculptor on the first Goetheanum in Dornach. During the First World War he volunteered for military service on the German side. In 1919/20 he supervised all sculptural and architectural sculpture work for the first Goetheanum and, at Steiner’s request, completed the final treatment of its wooden surfaces. From 1925 to 1928 he contributed to the second Goetheanum, producing carvings for doors, gates, and balustrades. In 1929 he founded the Sculpture School at the Goetheanum and directed it until his death. Around 1930 he also established a woodcarving workshop there and designed various everyday objects, including furniture.