Did you know that public art can spark controversy? Here we are at Offene Schranke Sculpture. Nuremberg is not only about Christmas markets. It’s not just about grisly Nazi history. It’s not only about little finger wieners. Nuremberg is also the site of some seriously cool public art.
Offene Schranke Sculpture has earned its place among the best sculptures and fountains in this quintessential German city. Consider the Schöner Brunnen. Aptly named “The Beautiful Fountain”, it highlights the central market square. It was designed in the 1380s. Heinrich Beheim, a stonemason designed it. It was intended to top the Frauenkirche. Upon completion, the townspeople decided it was too glorious to be so far removed. It was transformed into a fountain. It still stands there today. Original pieces are preserved in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Immaculate copies are on display for the public. Now, it is a popular meeting point. Locals and tourists gather around it. It stands at an impressive 19 meters high. It is bedecked in gold. There are 42 stone statues surrounding the fountain. They depict allegorical figures. They also depict churchmen and electors. Not to mention heroes. While the figures are out of reach, a seamless copper ring on the north side of the fence is accessible. It has been rubbed to a golden hue. People touch it and turn it full circle. They make their wishes for the future.
Then there’s Der Hase. Jürgen Goertz created it. At first glance, it appears quite bizarre. One of the newest figures in this medieval city. The statue shows a crazed bronze rabbit stumbling. It crushes at least one human beneath him. Possibly Albrecht Dürer? Many visitors walk out of the castle walls. They find this peculiar statue and stop, puzzled. It has been described as one of the world’s ugliest pieces of public art. The statue is an ode to Nuremberg’s favorite son. That is Albrecht Dürer. The artist was born, lived, and died in this city. Though it appears much less quaint, it is inspired by Dürer’s painting of Der Feldhase. The statue is located near Albrecht Dürer Haus. It is now a museum dedicated to the artist.
Consider Das Narrenschiff or Ship of Fools. This bronze statue of a boat carries seven people. A skeleton and a dog join them. It is planted in a main pathway. It catches the eye of travelers. It is based on a popular sixteenth-century book by Sebastian Brant. Juergen Weber sculpted this piece. He used woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer. This gloomy sculpture shows an expelled Adam and Eve. Their murderous son Cain appears too. Other violent figures complete the scene. It shows the destruction of the world.
Don’t forget Ehekarussell. This is the Marriage Merry-Go-Round. This grotesque sculpture depicts wedded bliss from courtship to skeletons. It was created in 1984. Some call it hilarious. Others find it vulgar. Jürgen Weber also created this piece. It is based on a poem entitled “Bittersweet Married Life”. Hans Sachs, a 16th-century Nuremberg poet, wrote the poem. It is one of the largest European figure fountains of the 20th Century. It came at a tremendous cost. This caused grumbles from the townsfolk. The fountain actually disguises a subway ventilation shaft.
Finally, there is Tugendbrunnen. This is the Fountain of Virtue. It dates back to the Renaissance in 1589. Six virtues embody their trait. They are faith, love, hope, courage, moderation, and patience. Chubby cherubs are caught in flight overhead. But beware. There is easy-to-miss controversy. There is no virtue of modesty. The waters of the fountain pump directly through each of the figure’s nipples. As you can see, Offene Schranke Sculpture is in good company.