Did you know that the Heinrich von Kleist Statue is not the original? Let’s delve into the story behind this monument. This is the Heinrich von Kleist Statue. It commemorates the famous German dramatist, lyricist and author Heinrich von Kleist.
The original marble sculpture of the Heinrich von Kleist Statue was created by Karl Pracht in 1898. A year later in 1899, it was placed in Viktoriapark along with other poets of the liberation wars against Napoléon. These included Arndt, Körner, Rückert, Schenkendorff and Uhland.
Today, only the sculptures of Kleist and Uhland remain. In 1989, the original marble sculptures were moved. They found a new home in the schoolyard of the Leibniz Gymnasium on Schleiermacherstraße. The Heinrich von Kleist Statue you see here is a replica. It is a white painted aluminum copy.
Heinrich von Kleist was born in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1777. He briefly served in the Prussian army. Later, he studied law and philosophy. Kleist’s works often depict individuals in crisis. They struggle to find solutions.
His famous plays include “Der Zerbrochene Krug” and “Prinz Friedrich von Homburg”. He is widely considered the most significant dramatist of German Romanticism. Kleist’s personal life was marked by a search for happiness. Sadly, he never achieved it. In 1811, Kleist shot himself in a suicide pact with his friend Henriette Vogel.
You can visit their grave on the Kleiner Wannsee. The original inscription on the gravestone was replaced by the Nazis. It was later restored. The story of Kleist’s final days is a somber one. It reflects the despair he often portrayed in his works.
The Heinrich von Kleist Statue stands as a reminder of his contribution to German literature. It also serves as a symbol of his troubled life. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry of Karl Pracht’s sculpture. Also consider the story of the man it represents. The statue is more than just a monument. It is a window into the soul of a brilliant but tormented artist.