Hugo Leven studied at the Kunstgewerbeschule and then at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. For some time he worked in his father Louis Leven's studio, had numerous contacts with French artists who influenced him greatly, and quickly became known. Engelbert Kayser hired him as the first employee in his studio. From 1895 to 1904 Leven designed numerous models for Kayserzinn; his works had a lasting influence on the pewter foundry of Art Nouveau. He also worked for the Kreuter company in Hanau and other companies that produced metal, silver and stoneware, such as B. Koch & Bergfeld and WMF. From 1904 to 1909 he lived in Bremen. In 1906, Leven's works were on display at the third German arts and crafts exhibition in Dresden; he also took part in world exhibitions etc. From 1909 to 1933 he taught at the Drawing Academy of the Technical School for the Precious Metals Industry in Hanau, of which he became director. His students included Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Christian Dell and Herbert Zeitner. In 1933 he lost his job. After the Second World War, he led the reconstruction of the drawing academy, which resumed operations in 1947. Leven's style is determined by ornamentally arranged but naturalistically modeled depictions of plants and animals. In 2001/2002 an exhibition was held about Leven and his work in the Hanau History Museum in the Philippsruhe Castle in Hanau and in the Zons District Museum.
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