Captured in bronze, do you see the Liegender Bison u2161 Statue before us? This statue is not just a sculpture. It’s a recast of one of the bison figures from the Washington Monument in Philadelphia.
The story of the Liegender Bison u2161 Statue begins with German sculptor Rudolf Siemering. In 1878, Siemering received a commission for the George Washington National Monument. It was to be erected in Philadelphia in the USA. The eight animal figures at the base were cast from 1885.
Kaiser Wilhelm II was impressed by the finished monument in 1897. He ordered recasts of the eight animal figures. These figures originally accompanied allegorical groups of states at the base of the monument in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park.
Between August 1900 and January 1901, the recasts were placed in the Großer Tiergarten at Floraplatz. This became the new center. In 1906, the Reitende Amazone by Tuaillon replaced the Flora figure. During the Second World War, damage occurred. Two animals, a bull and a bear, disappeared. The remaining six animal figures were distributed throughout the reforested Großer Tiergarten after the war.
In 1990, two Liegender Bison u2161 Statue figures were on loan. They were featured in the exhibition “Ethos and Pathos. The Berlin Sculpture School 1786-1914”. The exhibition was held at the Hamburger Bahnhof. Afterward, they returned to the Tiergarten. There are plans to return the six remaining sculptures to Floraplatz.
Now, observe the Liegender Bison u2161 Statue closely. It depicts a lying male bison in realistic detail. The rectangular plinth rests on a very flat base. It displays a subtly designed natural relief. The plinth rises slightly toward the animal’s head on the left.
Siemering’s signature is on the front right of the plinth in recessed lettering. The naturalistic coat is enlivened by a light greenish patina. The effect is enhanced by careful chasing. The smoothly formed horns protrude from the mighty head. The horns shimmer brown-gold due to abrasion of the patina. Perhaps this effect was intended by Siemering himself. The dark patinated eyes have a reddish sheen.
Another Liegender Bison u2161 Statue is located northeast of the Englischer Garten. It lies on a rectangular base made of gray granite. The animal sculpture is designed in crass naturalism. It is one of the outstanding sculptures of the Berlin Sculpture School in High Historicism. The Liegender Bison u2161 Statue, along with five other animal figures, used to be in the Großer Tiergarten.
The Liegender Bison u2161 Statue originally stood at Floraplatz in 1900/1901. It was damaged in World War II. In 1957, it was moved to the eastern bank of the Neuer See. It was cleaned in 1987 and 1990. The Liegender Bison u2161 Statue is a powerful symbol. It embodies both artistic skill and historical context. It stands as a reminder of Berlin’s complex past. The Liegender Bison u2161 Statue also represents the enduring power of art.