Statues - Hither & Thither

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Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten

Town Musicians of Bremen

Folktale recorded by the Brothers Grimm

Gerhard Marcks
1951

Description

Bronze sculpture of four animals: a donkey stands on the bottom, with a dog on it, then a cat, and finally on the very top is a rooster.
The statue was erected in 1953. Note the front hooves that have become shiny. Touching the front hooves is said to make wishes come true.

Information Sign

Gerhard Marcks (1889-1981)
bremer stadtmusikanten 1951
Weitere Arbeiten dieses Künstlers im
Gerhard Marcks-Haus
Am Wall 208 (Alte Ostertorwache)

The Town Musicians of Bremen

A donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster, all past their prime years in life and usefulness on their respective farms, were soon to be discarded or mistreated by their masters. One by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians there. ("Something better than death we can find anywhere.")

On the way to Bremen, they see a lighted cottage; they look inside and see four robbers enjoying their ill-gotten gains. Standing on each other's backs, they decide to perform for the men in hope of gaining food. Their 'music' has an unanticipated effect; the men run for their lives, not knowing what the strange sound is. The animals take possession of the house, eat a good meal, and settle in for the evening.

Later that night, the robbers return and send one of their members in to investigate. He sees the Cat's eyes shining in the darkness and thinks he is seeing the coals of the fire. He reaches over to light his candle. Things happen in quick succession; the Cat scratches his face with her claws, the Dog bites him on the leg, the Donkey kicks him with his hooves, and the Rooster crows and chases him out the door, screaming. He tells his companions that he was beset by a horrible witch who scratched him with her long fingernails (the Cat), an ogre with a knife (the Dog), a giant who had hit him with his club (the Donkey), and worst of all, the judge who screamed in his voice from the rooftop (the Rooster). The robbers abandon the cottage to the strange creatures who have taken it, where the animals live happily for the rest of their days.

Sculptor

Gerhard Marcks (Berlin 1889 - Burgbrohl (Eifel) 1981), German sculptor (RKDArtists – Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Liste der Denkmale und Standbilder der Stadt Bremen.
Wikipedia, Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten.

Locatie (N 53°4'34" - E 8°48'27") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: dehb007; Photograph: 18 July 2013
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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