Did you notice the imposing sandstone structure before you? This is the Gutenberg-Denkmal. It stands proudly in the middle of Frankfurt’s Roßmarkt. Let’s delve into the story behind this Frankfurt landmark.
The Gutenberg-Denkmal honors Johannes Gutenberg. He invented letterpress printing with movable metal letters. Gutenberg was born in Mainz around 1400. He died there on February 26th, 1468. His real name was Johannes Gensfleisch.
Eduard Schmidt von der Launitz created the terracotta monument. It was inaugurated on June 24th, 1840. This marked the 400th anniversary of Gutenberg’s invention.
The Gutenberg-Denkmal is not just a statue. It is also a fountain. Look closely at the pedestal. You’ll see figures, emblems, and animal heads. Atop the monument, besides Gutenberg, stand two other important figures. These represent Johannes Fust and Peter Schöffer. They were printers and publishers who worked with Gutenberg in Frankfurt.
The Gothic-style structure features three massive statues. These represent Gutenberg, Hans Fust, and Peter Schöffer. They were Gutenberg’s printers and patrons. Allegorical figures sit at the corners of the base. They represent the main causes for the invention of book printing. These are theology, poetry, natural sciences, and industry.
The base is adorned with a frieze. It features busts of famous printers, publishers, and booksellers. The crests depict Mainz, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, and Venice. These cities were the first to embrace printing.
Eduard von der Launitz worked on the Gutenberg-Denkmal from 1854 to 1858. The monument stands on a square pillar. Below the frieze, you’ll see shield holders. They bear the coats of arms of Mainz, Venice, Strasbourg, and Frankfurt. Four stairways lead up to the Gutenberg-Denkmal. At each corner are allegories of theology, poetry, natural science, and industry. Below these are waterspouts and fountain basins.
The statues were made using galvanoplasty. This was a new technique developed by the Frankfurt physicist Rudolf Christian Boettger. The Gutenberg-Denkmal bears an inscription. It reads: “To honor the invention of the art of printing.”
Imagine a world without Gutenberg’s printing press. Knowledge would not have spread so easily. Progress might have stalled. There might be no internet, websites, or even the tour you are on today. We owe a great deal to Gutenberg. The Gutenberg-Denkmal stands as a tribute to his innovation. It reminds us of the power of the printed word.