Statues - Hither & Thither |
Site Search:
|
|
Potsdam
Stadt Potsdam Brandenburg Am Alten Markt |
Obelisk auf dem Alten MarktObelisk on the old Market Square |
Gottlieb Heymüller
1753-55 |
 1 |
 2 |
 3 |
 4 |
And on the corners of the pedestal four figures of ancient orators, made by Gottlieb Heymüller, and on top of the base four sphinxes.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The obelisk was erected from 1753 to 1755 in connection with representative transformation of Potsdam, ordered by Frederick II. During one of his visits in Italy, the King's architect, George von Knobelsdorff noticed obelisks brought by the Romans from Egypt and decided to add this feature to the multinational design of the Potsdam. The base of Knobelsdorff's obelisk was adorned with four medallions showing the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm and the Prussian kings Frederick I, Frederick William I and Frederick II. They were created by Giese.
After the Second World War, the medallions were removed for political reasons. In 1969 the dilapidated obelisk had to be dismantled. Ten years later, the obelisk was rebuilt. Because white Carrara marble from Italy was too expensive for the medallions and decorations, replacement of Yugoslavia was used. The red Silesian marble was replaced by Russian. The four antique statues at the base are still the originals, made by Gottlieb Heymüller. The four medallions at the bottom of the obelisk were replaced with portraits of Potsdam 's most influential architects.,
Your banner here? Click for information.