* BENNO SCHOTZ RSA (ESTONIAN 1891 - 1984), THE PRINCE OF GOALKEEPERS (JOHN THOMSON OF CELTIC F.C.),,

bronzed plaster A bronze of this sculpture is in the collection of Celtic F.C. Note on both Schotz and Thomson: Benno Schotz was born to Jewish parents, Jacob Schotz, a watchmaker, and Cherna Tischa Abramovitch, in Arensburg, Russia (now Kuressaare, Estonia) in 1891. He was educated at the Boys Grammar School of Pärnu, Estonia. Later he studied at the Grossherzogliche Technische Hochschule in Darmstadt, Germany. In 1912, he immigrated to Glasgow, where he gained an engineering diploma from the Royal Technical College and from 1914–23 worked in the drawing office of John Brown and Company, Clydebank shipbuilders while attending evening classes in sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art. Schotz became a full-time sculptor in 1923 and subsequently a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, Head of Sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art (a post he held from 1938 until his retirement in 1961), and later, in 1963, Her Majesty's Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland. His pupils included Hannah Frank, Paul Zunterstein and Inge King (née Neufeld). His homes at West Campbell Street and later Kirklee Road were a focus for meetings of artists, writers, actors, and politicians. His first solo Glasgow exhibition was at Reid's Gallery in 1926 and his first in London at Alex Reid and Lefevre Ltd (Lefevre Gallery) in 1930. He was also a member of Glasgow Art Club, alongside recently arrived refugee artists Jankel Adler and Josef Herman, for whom he organised local Jewish community support. In 1942 he organised the important 'Jewish Art Exhibition' at the Glasgow Institute as an act of Jewish cultural identity during the Second World War. In 1981 Schotz was made a Freeman of the City of Glasgow and in the same year, Gordon Wright published his autobiography, Bronze in My Blood. During his career, Schotz produced several hundred portraits and compositions including figure compositions, religious sculptures, semi-abstracts and modelled portraits, the majority located in Glasgow and the surrounding area. A major retrospective exhibition of his works was held at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh in 1971. He was Life-President of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts as well as Honorary Member of both the Royal British Society of Sculptors and the Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland. His last sculpture was executed less than six weeks before his death, aged 93. He was a committed Zionist and was buried in Jerusalem. His work is represented in numerous UK collections including The National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh City Art Centre, The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Aberdeen Galleries, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, BBC Scotland, The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow Museums & Galleries, The Peoples Palace (Glasgow), The Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, Ben Uri Gallery & Museum (London) and the House of Commons (London). His work is also held in various public collections in Israel. Christie's held a major Studio Sale of Benno Schotz's work in Glasgow in 1997. John Thomson, The Prince of Goalkeepers, is one of the most important figures in the history of Celtic Football Club. Having signed for the team in 1926 at the age of 17, his natural athleticism and brave spirit ensured he would become a mainstay between the sticks. He helped the team to two Scottish Cups and three Glasgow Cups. He would also represent the national side and national select XI four times apiece. Thomson's name will forever be associated with the tragedy that befell him during an Old Firm clash on the 5th September 1931. The match was played at Ibrox in front of 80,000 fans. Early in the 2nd half, Thomson collided with Rangers player Sam English, whilst both going for the ball. Most people assumed the goalkeeper badly injured as he was stretchered off, Chic Geatons taking his place in goal. Upon being transported to the Victoria Infirmary, Thomson would soon be pronounced dead. The death of a young goalkeeper in his prime shocked the footballing world. Beyond that, the tragic loss of a young man's life, only 22 years of age and recently engaged, still stands as amongst the most profound moments in sporting history. 40,000 people attended the funeral in his home town of Cardenden, including thousands who travelled from Glasgow, many walking the 55 miles to the Fife village. 51cm wide