“W v SCHADOW” the inscription proudly proclaims. This isn’t just any statue. This is the Denkmal Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow. It stands as a testament to a man who shaped Dusseldorf’s artistic landscape. It’s a bronze bust a powerful likeness of Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow himself. He’s captured here in his later years. His gaze seems to survey the city he so profoundly influenced.
The Denkmal Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow wasn’t always here. It was unveiled in 1869. This marked the 50th anniversary of the Kunstakademie. The cost back then? A hefty 2100 Taler. The bust itself is the work of two sculptors August Wittig and Ernst Giese. Their collaboration resulted in a masterpiece of classical portraiture.
Schadow wasn’t just any artist. He was the director of the Royal Academy of Arts. That’s right he led the Dusseldorf painting school for over three decades. His influence on the Dusseldorf art scene was immense. He played a vital role in establishing the city’s international reputation as an art center.
Sadly the Denkmal Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow suffered damage during World War II. Bombing raids scarred the bronze. It was removed in 1963. That’s when they were rebuilding the Jan-Wellem-Platz. After restoration the Denkmal was reinstalled. It found a new home in 1964. It now stands in a pedestrian zone close to its original location on Schadowplatz.
Its placement now speaks volumes. It stands as a symbol of resilience and a testament to Dusseldorf’s rich artistic heritage. Since 1994 it has held the status of a protected monument. There’s even a Denkmal Patenschaft a kind of sponsorship program. People sponsor the monument ensuring its continued preservation.
Look closely at the pedestal. It’s made of Bavarian syenite. The bust itself weighs approximately 125 kilograms. It’s more than just bronze and stone. It’s a tangible representation of Dusseldorf’s history. It’s a tribute to the vision and leadership of a man who changed the face of art in this city. The Denkmal Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow isn’t simply a monument. It’s a story waiting to be discovered. A legacy carved in bronze.