Pan mit Doppelflöte Sculpture

Hidden within the serene gardens of Berlin’s Reinickendorf Library, the Pan mit Doppelflöte sculpture beckons us closer. A captivating bronze figure, Pan himself, god of the wild, sits cross-legged upon a Waschbeton pedestal. The Pan mit Doppelflöte, commissioned specifically for this library in 1962, has witnessed the evolution of this space. Originally, Ursula Hanke-Förster, the sculptor, signed the piece simply as Ursula Förster. It was placed near the children’s library, adding a touch of whimsy to the newly opened space. Imagine children in 1963, discovering this mythical creature amidst the circular sunbathing terraces designed for quiet reading by the Schäfersee. The Pan mit Doppelflöte, with its intricate details, showcases Pan’s human torso, goat-like lower body, and small horns. His double flute, a signature attribute, rests against his lips, forever captured in a moment of musical bliss. Look closely at the sculpture. Notice the markings. These are remnants of the artist’s process, traces of an axe used on the plaster model. The bronze, now richly patinated with green and black tones, speaks to the passage of time. The Pan mit Doppelflöte isn’t alone in Berlin’s artistic landscape. Another Pan, also playing a double flute, exists in Tempelhof, created by Paul Brandenburg in 1975. A third, Pan II, also by Hanke-Förster, resides in Zehlendorf. Yet, here in Reinickendorf, this particular Pan holds a special connection to the library and its history. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to enrich public spaces. The Pan mit Doppelflöte invites us to pause, to listen to the echoes of its silent melody, and to appreciate the harmonious blend of nature, art, and literature in this tranquil oasis.