Journey with me back to 1911. Reinhold Felderhoff, a sculptor, created the Mutter mit Kind statue. The statue is a bronze figure that shows a mother with a bare upper body. She holds a child on her right shoulder with both arms.
This Mutter mit Kind statue is more than just bronze. It tells a story of travels and relocations across Berlin. Imagine this artwork gracing the Schönholzer Heide. This was a popular destination at the turn of the century.
Picture families strolling past the Mutter mit Kind. It stood there until the mid-1950s. Then, the statue was moved to the heart of Pankow. It stood before the town hall, at the corner of Mühlenstraße.
But the Mutter mit Kind’s journey wasn’t over. In 1971, it was removed again. It found temporary storage in Bürgerpark Pankow. Finally, in 1976, it arrived here in Brosepark.
The location was chosen with care. A maternal advice center once stood near Brosehaus on Dietzgenstraße. The statue’s presence resonated with the center’s purpose. The Brosepark itself has a rich history. It was once part of the summer home of Wilhelm Brose. He was a Berlin banker and art collector. The Niederschönhausen community purchased the park in 1920.
Look closely at the details of the Mutter mit Kind statue. Notice the woman’s posture. Her head turns to the left. Her legs display contrapposto. This creates a dynamic S-curve through her body.
Observe the materials. The sculpture stands on a square bronze plinth. This rests upon a base of yellow brick. See the foundry mark and the artist’s signature. They are on the sides of the plinth.
The uppermost layer of brick is plastered with cement. This was done to cover holes. Unfortunately, this conceals part of the bronze plinth. The inscription reads “R. Felderhoff”. The stamp shows “geg. H. Noack.”
The Mutter mit Kind statue has stood here since 1976. It stands on a lawn before a backdrop of trees. The bright sculpture stands out against the dark trees. The statue is a testament to motherhood. It also highlights the evolving landscape of Berlin’s public art. This artwork invites us to reflect on family. It also invites us to think about the journey of art through time.