Statues - Hither & Thither

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Hildesheim
Lkr. Hildesheim
Niedersachsen

Godehardsplatz 12
(Wernersches Haus)

Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus

Façade Sculptures of Werner's House

17th century sculptor
1606

Hildesheim / Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus

Description

The three-story building on the corner of Hinterer Brühl and Godehardiplatz dates from 1606 and is named after its builder, the episcopal secretary Philip Werner. The facade is richly decorated with wood carved panels. There are a total of 26 panels in three rows: the upper two rows, with 14 respectively 8 panels are on the Hinterer Brühl and Godehardplatz sides, the lower row with 4 panels only at Hinterer Brühl.

Inscription at the Godehardplatz side:

anno 1606 hoc ædificivm per philippum wernerum secretarivm svis svmptibvs est extrvctvm
(In 1606 this building was erected by the secretary Philipp Werner with his own funds)

Inscription at the Hinterer Brühl side:

Du redest hir van was dir gefelt.
Kostet mir aber das meine gelt.
Habe ich geirt, so hute du dich.
Bins nich allein dem Witze gebricht
(You talk about how you like it
That's what costs me my money
If I'm wrong, be careful
I'm not alone in need of jokes)

The themes are:

Evil treats (nos. 1-4 and 12).
Planets, the Sun and the Moon (nos. 5-11).
People from the early days of the diocese of Hildesheim (nos. 16-19): Louis the Pious (16) founded the diocese of Hildesheim in 815, after Charlemagne (17) had originally planned Elze as the episcopal seat. Emperor Heinrich II (16) appointed Bishop Godehard (18) to his office.
Virtues (nos. 23-26)
Various (nos. 13, 14, 20, 21, and 22)

Top row

Hinterer Brühl
Hildesheim - Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus
1. Invidia (Envy).
2. Avaritia (Greed).

3. Pertvrbatio (Confusion).
4. Inqvietas (Restlessness).

Godehardplatz
Hildesheim - Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus
5. Saturnus
6. Mars

7. Mercurius
8. Sonne (Sun)

9. Jupiter
10. Venus

11. Mon (Moon)
12. Svpperbia (Pride)

13. Ivdit (Judith)
14. Pax (Peace)

Middle row

Hinterer Brühl
Hildesheim - Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus
15. Hinricvs pivs (Henry the Pious)
16. Lvdowicvs pivs (Louis the Pious)

17. Carolvs Magnvs (Charlemagne)
18. S. Godehardus (Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim)

Godehardplatz
Hildesheim - Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus
19. S. Barwardus (Saint Bernward of Hildesheim)
20. Coat of arms of Philippus Werner (three flowers).

21. Coat of arms of Margareta Rosenzweig, Werner's wife (lion with rose).
22. S. Maria

Bottom row

Hinterer Brühl
Hildesheim - Fassadenskulpturen am Wernerschen Haus
23. Spes (Hope).
24. Fides (Faith).

25. Caritas (Charity).
26. Patientia (Patience).

Sculptor

Unknown 17th century sculptor.

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Wernersches Haus.
Inschriftenkatalog: Stadt Hildesheim, Godehardsplatz 12 (no. 1167).
Adolf Zeller, Die Kunstdenkmäler der Provinz Hannover, vol. II.4. Regierungsbezirk Hildesheim, Stadt Hildesheim, Bürgerliche Bauten (Hannover, 1912), p. 345-349 (PDF online).

Locatie (N 52°8'45" - E 9°56'57") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: dens547; Photograph: 29 August 2022
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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1. Invidia (Envy).	2. Avaritia (Greed).
3. Pertvrbatio (Confusion).	4. Inqvietas (Restlessness).

5. Saturnus	6. Mars
7. Mercurius	8. Sonne (Sun)
9. Jupiter	10. Venus
11. Mon (Moon)	12. Svpperbia (Pride)
13. Ivdit (Judith)	14. Pax (Peace)

15. Hinricvs pivs (Henry the Pious)	16. Lvdowicvs pivs (Louis the Pious)
17. Carolvs Magnvs (Charlemagne)	18. S. Godehardus (Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim)

19. S. Barwardus (Saint Bernward of Hildesheim)	20. Coat of arms of Philippus Werner (three flowers).
21. Coat of arms of Margareta Rosenzweig, Werner's wife (lion with rose).	22. S. Maria

23. Spes (Hope).	24. Fides (Faith).
25. Caritas (Charity).	26. Patientia (Patience).