“Frankman” Who is Frankman? That intriguing inscription on the Lessing-Denkmal has captivated Frankfurt for weeks. Before you stands the bust of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing a monument to a writer who championed tolerance. This Lessing-Denkmal wasn’t always here in the Obermainanlage.
It began its life in 1882 near the Alte Stadtbibliothek. Gustav Kaupert sculpted this marble and porphyry bust. The initiative for its creation came from a surprising source Herz Hayum Goldschmidt a Jewish citizen of Frankfurt. Goldschmidt left a sum of money in his will likely honoring Lessing’s dedication to interfaith understanding. Lessing’s play Nathan der Weise a powerful argument for tolerance was banned by the Frankfurt council in 1779 the very year it was published.
The Lessing-Denkmal itself speaks volumes about Frankfurt’s evolving relationship with its Jewish community. The fact that this monument to Lessing exists at all reflects a slow but significant shift towards religious tolerance. About a century after the ban on Nathan der Weise the Free City of Frankfurt finally lifted all restrictions on civil rights for its Jewish citizens in 1864. That act and the enduring presence of this Denkmal mark a journey towards equality.
But back to “Frankman”. This modern addition is a mystery. Did someone intentionally change the inscription? Is this vandalism or a clever piece of performance art? We may never know for certain. The story of the Lessing-Denkmal is a story of tolerance and artistic expression. It’s also a story that continues to unfold. The enduring presence of the bust is a reminder of Lessing’s message a message we continue to strive for even today. The “Frankman” mystery only adds to its intrigue. So look closely at the Denkmal. Let the words “Frankman” prompt more questions. This is a monument that invites reflection a silent witness to Frankfurt’s vibrant and ever-changing history.