Kneeling before us, frozen in a moment of awakening, is the Erwachendes Mädchen. The Erwachendes Mädchen, also known as the “Awakening Girl,” is more than just a bronze statue. She’s a symbol of transition, poised between sleep and wakefulness, childhood and womanhood. This beautiful sculpture, created by Josef Limburg, graces the Rosengarten in Steglitz City Park. The Erwachendes Mädchen found its home here in 1959. Interestingly, the model for this piece was created in 1905-1906, without a specific commission. Limburg first exhibited a bronze cast in 1907 at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition. He titled it “Loreley.” The statue we see today is slightly larger than the original model. It sits upon a rectangular pedestal of artificial stone. The young woman, kneeling on a simplified base, stretches her body. Her raised hands, held near her temples, gently touch her hair. The title, “Awakening Girl,” holds a double meaning, alluding to both her physical awakening and the transition into adulthood. Notice the inscriptions on the back of the pedestal: “J. LIMBURG.” Also, look for the inscription on the left side: “Jos. Limburg” and on the back: “Guss Heinze-Barth.” These markings reveal the artist’s hand and the foundry responsible for casting this exquisite piece. The Erwachendes Mädchen invites us to reflect on our own awakenings. What transitions have we experienced? What moments of becoming have shaped us? As we leave her presence, let us carry with us a sense of renewed possibility, inspired by the girl who is forever waking up to the world.
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