Beneath the roof of a school in Germany lies a tale of justice. It is Das Gericht der Tiere. This artwork by Harald Duwe sparks the imagination.
Das Gericht der Tiere is not just a pretty picture. It is a sgraffito. This means it is made by scratching through layers of plaster. Harald Duwe created it for an extension to the school in 1966. He had only one night to complete the work. The cement plaster dried quickly.
Look closely at Das Gericht der Tiere. You will see a gathering of animals. A lion pair stands at the center. A plucked rooster and a fox are nearby. Above them hangs a noose. This scene depicts a court from “Reineke Fuchs”. “Reineke Fuchs” is a story printed in Lubeck in 1498. The story inspired many artists and writers.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe also took inspiration from it. He saw it as a critique of courtly life. He also saw it as criticism of human greed. Harald Duwe later became known for his critical-realistic paintings. These paintings often protested the horrors of Nazism and militarism.
Das Gericht der Tiere is different from Duwe’s other public works. Those works often featured harmless colorful ceramic objects. They suited the time and were meant for children. However, Das Gericht der Tiere shows life’s harshness. The noose above the fox makes this clear. It is almost like a warning: Do not do wrong.
Some teachers initially opposed the noose. They wanted it removed. Duwe argued that a court scene with a criminal needs the tools of justice. He did compromise. He made the noose smaller and hung it higher.
In 1994 the school became the Anne-Frank-School. During an expansion, the mural was restored. It was integrated into the new building. Harald Duwe was born in Hamburg-Rothenburgsort in 1926. He studied lithography in Hamburg and Leipzig. He also studied painting at the Hamburg Landeskunstschule. He taught at the Ingenieurschule für Fahrzeugtechnik in Hamburg. Later, he lectured at the Kieler Fachhochschule für Gestaltung.
Das Gericht der Tiere continues to inspire debate. It makes us think about justice. It makes us consider the consequences of our actions. It is more than just a mural. It is a powerful reminder. It is a timeless message.