Statues - Hither & Thither

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Heidelberg
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(Heidelberger Schloß - Ottheinrichsbau)

Fassadenstatuen der Ottheinrichsbau

Façade statues on the Otto Henry wing

Alexander Colin
1556/60

Heidelberg / Fassadenstatuen der Ottheinrichsbau

Description

The entrance of the palace is flanked by four allegorical statues, above the entrance a relief portrait of Ottheinrich with on top a statue of Caritas (a woman with two children).

Moreover, in the façade there are sixteen statues of allegorical figures representing the program of Ottheinrich's reign. We photographed only the four of the lower storey in detail.

Lower story: the mythical heroes Josua, Samson, Hercules and David with the following texts:


Der hertzog Josua durch Gotteß macht Ein und dreissig ku nig hat umbracht	Samson der starck ei[n] Nasir Gotteß war Beschirmet Israhel wol zwentzig Jar	Joviß sun Hercules bin Ich genandt durch mei[n] herliche thaten wol bekandt	David war ei[n] Jung ling gehertzt und klug Dem frechen Goliath den kopff abschlug

(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)

In the tympana above the windows are eight portraits of Roman emperors.

First storey: The five virtues of a Christian ruler: Force, Faith, Charity (the figure above the entrance), Hope, and Justice.

Second storey: Personifications of the planets: Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercurius, and the Moon.

On the top of the façade personifications of Jupiter and the Sun.

Sculptor

Alexander Colin (Colyn) (Mechelen 1527/29 - Innsbruck 1612), Flamish sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Heidelberger Schloss.
Thomas Juelch, Ottheinrichsbau.

Locatie (N 49°24'39" - E 8°42'56") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: debw057; Photograph: 26 September 2011
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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