Gazing at her, can you feel the weight of history and art intertwining in this very spot? This is the Wasserträgerin Sculpture. She stands here as a testament to resilience and beauty. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture also known as Die Nubierin is more than just a bronze statue. It embodies a story of artistic creation, persecution, and ultimate redemption.
Bernhard Sopher, a talented sculptor, created the Wasserträgerin Sculpture in 1925. The sculpture depicts an unclothed Nubian woman in mid-stride. She gracefully balances a vase on her head. Her arms are angled with her hands resting on her hips. The Düsseldorfer Broncegiesserei produced the Wasserträgerin Sculpture.
Originally placed in the Rheingärtchen in 1928, the Wasserträgerin Sculpture quickly became a beloved feature of the landscape. The Rheingärtchen garden was designed as a tranquil retreat, a place for rest and reflection. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture fitted perfectly into this vision.
However, the Wasserträgerin Sculpture’s story took a dark turn in 1938. The Nazi regime, which had risen to power, condemned the Wasserträgerin Sculpture as “degenerate art.” Sopher, being of Jewish heritage, faced a professional ban in 1934. In 1935, he emigrated to the USA. The art collection of Düsseldorf under the direction of Hans Wilhelm Hupp had the Wasserträgerin Sculpture removed and marked for destruction.
Sopher’s wife bravely stepped in. She managed to repurchase the Wasserträgerin Sculpture, saving it from being melted down. After World War II, she returned the sculpture to the Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf. In 1954, the Wasserträgerin Sculpture was finally returned to its original location in the Rheingärtchen.
Standing here, you can almost feel the echoes of the past. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture is a symbol of defiance against oppression and a celebration of artistic freedom. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture reminds us of the importance of preserving art and culture, even in the face of adversity.
Nearby, you can also find the Knöchelspielerin, another sculpture with ties to Bernhard Sopher. The Knöchelspielerin is a sandstone copy of Sopher’s original 1926 bronze sculpture. It was created by Hermann Isenmann in 1961. The original is in the Folkwang-Museum in Essen.
Take a moment to appreciate the Wasserträgerin Sculpture’s beauty. Reflect on its history and the message of hope it carries. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture is not just a statue. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture is a reminder that art can endure. The Wasserträgerin Sculpture stands as a testament to the human spirit.