How does a statue embody an era? The Nymphe am Wasser statue before you does just that. It is located on the Goethe-University’s Campus Westend. This bronze figure, created by Fritz Klimsch in 1930, is more than just a sculpture. It’s a symbol of its time.
Fritz Klimsch hailed from a Frankfurt artistic family. His work, Am Wasser, sits between the Poelzig-Bau and the Casino. The woman depicted sits with crossed legs. She is perched on the balustrade before the staircase. She turns her head, gazing at the water flowing beneath her into a basin.
Notice how the sculpture seems to keep its distance? No matter your vantage point, the Nymphe am Wasser never quite lets you get too close. This placement was intentional. Water symbolizes feminine fertility. The statue embodies a beauty ideal. This ideal became prominent in the 1930s.
Klimsch became a prominent artist during the Nazi regime. He was featured in the Great German Art Exhibition in Munich from 1937 to 1944. He had 20 objects displayed.
As the Nymphe am Wasser took form, so did the Poelzig-Bau. It was also known as the IG Farben House. IG Farben was the largest European company. It was the fourth-largest in the world during the Third Reich. This chemical company collaborated with the Nazi dictatorship. It produced Zyklon B, used for mass murder.
The US Army took over the building after World War II. It served as their headquarters until 1994. In 2000, it became part of the Goethe-University’s Campus Westend. Students began to grapple with the building’s past. They confronted the history of the chemical company.
The Nymphe am Wasser stands as a silent observer. It has witnessed the rise and fall of empires. She has seen the evolution of ideals. She represents both beauty and the complex history. Consider the layers of history. Reflect on art’s role in reflecting and shaping society. The Nymphe am Wasser invites contemplation. She bridges the past and present. She encourages us to remember.