Sculpted in stone, the Lebensalter figures stand before us. They silently watch over the entrance of the Freiburg University Hospital. The Lebensalter, meaning “Ages of Life,” is more than just a decoration. It is a poignant reflection on the human journey, from infancy to old age. Created between 1938 and 1939, the Lebensalter sculptures are a collaborative work. Three artists, Helmuth Hopp, Ulrich Kottenrodt, and Emil Stadelhofer, each contributed their unique skills to this powerful ensemble. Carved from sandstone, each figure stands approximately 190 cm tall. Hopp sculpted the “Mother with Infant” and a “Male Nude”. Kottenrodt contributed the “Virgin” and the “Old Man”. Stadelhofer created the “Young Man” and the “Woman with Child”. Located at Hugstetter Straße 55, the Lebensalter sculptures greet visitors at the archway entrance to the University Hospital. They offer a quiet meditation on the cycle of life, a fitting symbol for a place dedicated to healing and care. The figures offer a powerful reminder of the shared human experience. They stand as a testament to the beauty and fragility of life itself within the grounds of the Freiburg University Hospital.
Shift Sculpture
Wischnewski’s Shift invites you to engage. Take a moment to walk around it. Observe it from different positions. Let your