Statues - Hither & Thither |
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Wien
Wien (Land) Universitätsring 1 (1.)
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Die Fassade des Hauptgebäudes der Universität WienThe façade of the main building of the University of Vienna |
Various sculptors
1877-85 |
The main building of the University of Vienna, measuring 161 x 133 meter (530 x 440 feet), was built after designs of the architect Heinrich von Ferstel from 1872 to 1884. The comprehensive iconographic program of the façade of the neoclassical building, created by renowned sculptors of the Vienna Ringstrasse, uses Greek mythology and antiquity. About 40 allegorical and mythological figures are above the attic, 128 renowned scientists and scholars, and biblical figures, 24 statues, 24 portraits in medaillons and 80 gold badges with names, and other reliefs and sculptures adorn the four façades of the building and representing the four faculties originally accommodated in the building.
Although Ferstel was planning to organize the iconographic program in accordance with the internal division of the faculties, the correspondence from the outside and the inside was only partially successful, since the law and philosophical faculty required more space the theology and medicine.
Birth of Minerva, goddess of wisdom
sculpted by Tautenhayn
In the wide tympanum above the entrance loggia is in limestone the "Birth of the Minerva". The depiction summarizes the four sciences: theology, jurisprudence, medicine and philosophy. Minerva, the Latinized Greek Athena, is the goddess of wisdom and war and patroness of science. The presentation of her birth suggests the university as the cradle of science. Below the relief is the inscription VNIVERSITAS LITTERARUM VINDOBONENSIS (the totality of the sciences of Vienna). The gable is crowned by Nike and flanked by two sphinxes.
The risalites of the both corner pavillions show sculpture groups representing the faculties.
| Above the risalites of the corner pavillions South corner pavillion | |
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| North corner pavillion | |
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40 statues on the attic represent the four faculties. At the front façade theology and jurisprudence, to the left and right of the loggia respectively; medicine at the south façade and philosophy at the north façade.
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Allegorical representations of philosophy
identification not sure
Facing east
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| Facing south (Rathauspark) | |||
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Missing Hermes |
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Allegorical representations of medicine
identification not sure
Facing east
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Missing Hygiene |
Missing Psychologie / Psychology |
Missing Externe Medizin / External Medicine |
Missing Interne Medizin / Internal Medicine |
| Facing north (Universitätsstraße) | |||
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Missing Kirke
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Missing Prometheus (element fire) |
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In the risalites of the corner pavilions are 24 niches with statues and 24 round portrait medaillons, reminiscent of Roman coins. On the contrary to the mythological figures and allegories of the four faculties in the attic, the niche and medaillon figures represent historical scholars. In the frieze above the first floor are plaques with the names of important scholars.
The names of the sculptors of the statues and portraits are not given in the University archives. Only a few of them are signed.
| SOUTH-EAST CORNER PAVILION North risalite | |||
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| facing east | facing north |
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| South risalite | |||
| facing east | facing south |
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| SOUTH-WEST CORNER PAVILION | |||
| facing south | facing west |
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| NORTH-EAST CORNER PAVILION South risalite | |||
| facing south | facing east |
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| North risalite | |||
| facing east | facing north |
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| NORTH-WEST CORNER PAVILION | |||
| facing north | facing west |
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