Hidden in a small park at Eckernförder Platz lies a gem. It is “Orpheus mit Tieren”. You might need to venture through branches to discover it.
“Orpheus mit Tieren” depicts Orpheus. He was the mythical singer of ancient Greece. He sits peacefully with a lion and a deer. This is a powerful image of music.
Ernst Herter created the sculpture in 1902. The sculpture was part of a fountain. It adorned the Academy of Fine Arts in Charlottenburg. The academy suffered heavy damage in World War II. “Orpheus mit Tieren” shows clear signs of this damage.
Look closely at “Orpheus mit Tieren”. Orpheus is missing his head. The lion is missing its feet and an ear. The deer lacks its head and a leg. Orpheus even has a bullet hole in his leg. Shrapnel marks mar his other side.
Once, “Orpheus mit Tieren” had a counterpart. It was “Prometheus mourned by the Oceanids”. It stood on the West Pavilion. This sculpture remains but without its fountain.
The Rückseite of “Orpheus mit Tieren” is largely unfinished. This suggests it was for a niche. It was likely above a semicircular water basin.
The ravages of time and war are evident. The sandstone is weathered. The sculpture is heavily damaged. Heads and limbs are mostly missing.
After the war, “Orpheus mit Tieren” was moved. It was relegated to its current secluded spot in Wedding. It stands among stinging nettles and trees.
There has been talk of returning “Orpheus mit Tieren” to its original place. The place is still empty. However, this has not happened yet.
Despite its fragmented state, “Orpheus mit Tieren” endures. The sculpture stands as a testament to the power of music. It also reminds us of the resilience of art. It is a reminder of Berlin’s past.