Statues - Hither & Thither

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Heidelberg
Stadt Heidelberg
Baden-Württemberg

Universitätsplatz
(Neue Universität)

Pallas Athene

Athena or Pallas Athena (Παλλὰς Ἀθηνᾶ) in Greek, or Minerva, in Roman mythology the goddess of war, civilization, wisdom, etc. She is often depicted with an owl, which symbolizes her ties to wisdom.
(Wikipedia: Athena and Minerva)

Karl Albiker
1931

Description

Bronze façade statue of a seated Pallas Athene with statue of Nike and spear. Under the statue the text "DEM LEBENDIGEN GEIST".

Annotation

The New University building is constructed by Carl Grube in 1931-34. The only artful decoration it offers is a sculpture of Pallas Athene above the main entrance, with a caption penned by the scholar Friedrich Gundolf: "Dem Lebendigen Geist" (To the living spirit). In the National Socialistic time Athene was replaced by a German eagle and the inscription by "To the German spirit".

Sculptor

Karl Albiker (Ühlingen, Baden 1878 - Ettlingen 1961), German sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Universität Heidelberg, How Jacob Gould Schurman Donated a New Auditorium Building to Heidelberg University.

Locatie (N 49°24'38" - E 8°42'23") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: debw160; Photograph: 26 September 2012 / updated: 3 December 2014
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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