“Er ist ein kluger Schelm, der klügste in Frankfurt.” These words of Goethe echo as we stand before the Kirchner-Denkmal. This is not a statue of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, the expressionist painter, but a tribute to Anton Kirchner.
The Kirchner-Denkmal honors Anton Kirchner. He was a Frankfurt clergyman, historian, and pedagogue. Born in 1779, the monument was erected on his 100th birthday in 1879. Citizens of Frankfurt funded it.
Heinrich Petry designed this bronze bust. The monument stands in the Eschenheimer Anlage. This location is in the heart of Frankfurt.
Anton Kirchner was quite the character. Goethe noted that Kirchner’s head did not quite match his body. He meant that Kirchner was overweight. Goethe joked that if Kirchner weren’t carrying so much weight, he would be even more lively and create more “devilment”.
Kirchner was a bright spark in a city known for its money and seriousness. Goethe saw him as a light in a city of dullards. Kirchner was the editor of the Bürgerblatt from 1801 to 1811. He also edited the Frankfurter Journal from 1803 to 1804. His journalistic career ended abruptly. He referred to Emperor Franz II’s newborn daughter as a “girl” instead of a “princess”.
Look closely at the monument’s base. Relief panels depict Kirchner’s areas of expertise. One shows the church. Ekklesia stands with a cross and Bible before St. Catherine’s Church. Another shows Clio. She is the muse of history. Clio holds a book and pen before the cathedral, referencing his Frankfurt history studies. The third panel shows a teacher. She represents his teaching career.
The inscription reads: “Anton Kirchner, born the 14th of July 1779, died the 1st of January 1835. Erected to the historian of his fatherland by his grateful fellow citizens, 14th of July 1879.”
This monument reflects the gratitude of Frankfurt’s citizens. They appreciated Kirchner’s contributions to their city. The Kirchner-Denkmal serves as a reminder of a witty and intelligent man. He left his mark on Frankfurt’s history and culture. It also reminds us to have a little bit of wit and be grateful for historians.