Amidst the grandeur of Strasbourg, the Statue de Goethe stands as a testament to a transformative period in the poet’s life. The Statue de Goethe, erected in 1904, captures Goethe’s time as a student at the University of Strasbourg from 1770 to 1771. Sculpted by Ernst Waegener and cast by Lauchhammer, the bronze statue portrays Goethe in a contemplative pose, gazing towards the city with his travel cane in hand and cloak draped over his arm. He stands on a tall pedestal adorned with reliefs, flanked by two seated muses. The muse on the left, Polymnia, holds a lyre and represents lyrical poetry. On the right, a veiled Melpomene embodies the muse of tragedy. The inscription on the pedestal simply reads “GOETHE.” On the back, another inscription commemorates the 150th anniversary of the poet’s birth. A bas-relief features a quote from Goethe: “On the platform of the cathedral, we young companions often met in the evening to greet the setting sun with full glasses.” Goethe’s time in Strasbourg marked a pivotal point in his personal and artistic development. It was here that he fell in love with Friederike Brion, the parson’s daughter, an experience that inspired some of his most beloved poems. It was also in Strasbourg that Goethe’s literary talents were recognized by Herder, sparking his passion for folk poetry, nature, Homer, and Ossian. The city, with its rich cultural heritage and inspiring landscape, played a significant role in shaping the young poet’s mind. The Statue de Goethe serves as a reminder of this formative period, capturing the spirit of a young man on the cusp of greatness.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to