Goethe–Schiller Monument

The Goethe- Schiller monument is a bronze double statue of German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. The monument was inaugurated in 1857 stands in front of the National Theatre on the Theatre Square in Weimar. It was created by the Dresden sculptor Ernst Rietschel.

Statue

The monument depicts the poet couple standing side by side is: Goethe, the elder of the two, and robust build in Hoffrack, quietly before hinblickend, leaning on an oak trunk; his left hand clutches his shoulder Schiller as he presented him with his right hand a laurel wreath. Schiller, youthful, slim figures and long frock coat with partly übergeschlagenem shirt collar and open vest, in his left hand holding a scroll, while the right half is adverse, reaches for the wreath.

It is noteworthy that the " prince of poets " are shown in the same height - although Schiller with 1.90 m was significantly greater than Goethe with only 1.69 m.

Base and dedication

The front of the Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden donated pedestal of polished granite Baden bears the dedication inscription

Goethe and Schiller

Artist and Signature

The design of the statue was created by the Dresden sculptor Ernst Rietschel. When creating the model of the group of figures he was supported by his assistant Gustav Kietz. 1857 completed the foundry Ferdinand von Miller at the Royal Erzgießerei in Munich the bronze casting.

On the back of the tree trunk is found as a statement of responsibility, the engraved signature of the artist:

Preparation and disclosure

The monument was on September 4, 1857 to commemorate the 100th birthday of Duke Carl August of Saxe -Weimar- Eisenach - along with the monument to Christoph Martin Wieland - unveiling. On the occasion of this ceremony arrived in Weimar next day, on September 5, 1857 Franz Liszt's Faust Symphony premiered.

Significance and reception

In addition to the Kyffhäuserdenkmal the Goethe and Schiller monument is the most famous monument of Thuringia; it serves among other things an advertising campaign the regional daily newspaper Thüringer Allgemeine.

Copies of the statue standing in Anting, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Syracuse.