Remember Friedrich Alfred Krupp? The Denkmal F.A. Krupp before you stands as a testament to his impactful life. It reminds us of a man who significantly shaped Essen and the Krupp industrial empire.
Friedrich Alfred Krupp took over the Krupp Gussstahlfabrik after his father’s death. His father was Alfred Krupp. He expanded it into Europe’s largest industrial enterprise. This enterprise later became the ThyssenKrupp AG in 1999.
Krupp’s leadership brought economic success to the steel company. The city of Essen honored him as an honorary citizen in 1896. The Denkmal F.A. Krupp symbolizes this strong connection.
Originally, the Denkmal F.A. Krupp was unveiled on November 17, 1907. It stood on Limbecker Platz in Essen’s city center near the Krupp-Hotel Essener Hof. This location was chosen to represent the close ties between the Krupp factories and the city.
However, in 1937, the Denkmal F.A. Krupp had to be moved. A new traffic plan necessitated its relocation. It was then placed near the Erlöserkirche, outside the city center.
During World War II, the architecture of the Denkmal F.A. Krupp was destroyed. But the bronze statue of Friedrich Alfred Krupp survived. Today, the original statue resides in the park of Villa Hügel.
The Denkmal F.A. Krupp was financed through donations. Krupp’s employees, friends, and the city of Essen contributed. A committee of high-ranking artists was formed to create a monumental artwork. The committee wanted to honor Krupp’s significance.
Hugo Lederer, a sculptor from Berlin, won the commission. His design was approved on December 3, 1905. The city council agreed to cover the costs for preparing the site. They also paid for the monument’s foundation. This amounted to 20,000 Mark for the site and 50,000 Mark for the monument fund.
Construction began on Limbecker Platz in April 1907. By July, Lederer had completed the model of the main figure. The accompanying figures were also largely finished in his studio. These figures were made of shell limestone.
In September 1907, work resumed. A crane lifted the stone blocks for the base. By mid-October, the construction was nearly complete. The main and secondary figures could then be installed.
The Denkmal F.A. Krupp featured a semi-circular layout. A shell limestone wall formed the backdrop for the bronze statue. Friedrich Alfred Krupp was depicted larger than life. The structure stood on a pedestal accessible by steps.
The statue was flanked by two pairs of figures. On the left stood two workers. On the right, there was a woman holding a baby and a man.
An inscription between the worker figures read: Friedrich / Alfred Krupp / 1854–1902 / stood since / 1887 / at the head / of the works / Faithfully maintaining / and / expanding / the creation / of his father.
The inscription between the family figures read: In / Gratitude / The / Members / of his works / The Fatherland / The / Friends / 1907.
The final cost of the Denkmal F.A. Krupp was 152,000 Mark. This exceeded the initial estimate of 120,000 Mark. Additional donations from employees covered the difference.
The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair. Members of the Krupp family, employees, and a representative of Kaiser Wilhelm II attended. Krupp’s manager, Ludwig Klüpfel, delivered the speech. Mayor Wilhelm Holle accepted the Denkmal F.A. Krupp on behalf of the city.
Due to space limitations, only 25 percent of the Krupp employees could attend. Priority was given to long-serving employees. The houses facing the Denkmal F.A. Krupp received a fresh coat of paint for the event. These houses were owned by the Krupp company.
Margarethe Krupp, Friedrich Alfred Krupp’s widow, showed her gratitude. She donated land and money to the city and its workers. She gave 200 Morgen of land to the city for public parks. She also donated 500,000 Mark to promote healthcare among the employees.
The Denkmal F.A. Krupp stands not just as a memorial. It embodies the intertwined history of a family, a company, and a city.