Statues - Hither & Thither |
Site Search:
|
Frankfurt am Main
Stadt Frankfurt am Main Hessen Roßmarkt |
Denkmal der Erfindung des BuchdrucksMonument to the Invention of Book Printingknown as Gutenberg-DenkmalGutenberg Monument |
Eduard Schmidt von der Launitz
1854-58 |
The Monument to the Invention of Book Printing as it was called in the 19th century is nowadays more known after the central figure, Gutenberg Monument. The Gothic-style sandstone structure includes five different programs of sculpture illustrating various facets of printing. Starting at the top of the monument these are:
![]() 1 |
![]() 2 |
![]() 3 |
At the top of the monument is a frieze featuring 14 busts of famous printers, publishers and booksellers (and, at special request of the monument committee, the sculptor).
Starting with the small south side (under Fust):![]() 1 |
![]() 2 |
![]() 3 |
![]() 4 |
![]() 5 |
![]() 6 |
![]() 7 |
![]() 8 |
![]() 9 |
![]() 10 |
![]() 11 |
![]() 12 |
![]() 13 |
![]() 14 |
On the four faces of the plinth are allegorical figures with coats-of-arms of the early centers of book printing, Mainz, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Venice.
![]() Mainz |
![]() Frankfurt |
![]() Venice |
![]() Strasbourg |
Below these are sandstone reliefs of coats-of-arms of Gutenberg, Fust and Schöffer and a text on the back side.
![]() Gutenberg |
![]() Fust |
![]() Schöffer |
Zu Ehren |
The statues stand on a with on the corners sitting allegorical figures of theology, poetry, natural sciences and industry - the main causes for the invention of the time-honoured art of book-printing.
![]() 1 |
![]() 2 |
![]() 3 |
![]() 4 |
Below the allegories are fountain basis in which water is spouting from four animal heads representing the four continents, symbolizing the knowledge of book printing spread out to all four continents.
![]() Europa - Stier Europe - Bull |
![]() Amerika - Lama America - Lama |
![]() Asien - Elephant Asia - Elefant |
![]() Afrika - Löwe Africa - Lion |
Gutenberg-Denkmal A... des Jahres 1840 fand in Frankfurt die 400 Jahrfeier zur |
Gutenberg-Monument On Midsummerday of the year 1840 the 400th anniversary of the invention |
Your banner here? Click for information.