Statues - Hither & Thither

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Gutenbergplatz

Johannes Gutenberg

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (Mainz c. 1398 - 1468)
German goldsmith, credited with being the inventor of the mechanical printing press
(Wikipedia)

Bertel Thorvaldsen & J.J. Barth
Charles Crozatier
1837

Description

Bronze statue of Gutenberg with in his hand the bible: die Bibel gedruckt von Gutenberg. The statue is 3.45 m (11'4") tall and stand on a socle of 3.61 m (11'10") with on the faces two reliefs:

Gutenberg and Fust.
Johann Fust (Mainz c. 1400 - Paris 1466), early German printer a goldsmith, lawyer, and money lender. On account of his connection with Gutenberg, he has been called the inventor of printing, and the instructor as well as the partner of Gutenberg, others see him as Gutenberg's patron and benefactor (Wikipedia).

Gutenberg at the printing press.

Inscription(s)

JOANNEM GENSFLEISCH DE. GUTENBERG patricium Moguntinum aere per totam Europan collato posuerunt cives MDCCCXXXVII.	Artem, quae Graecos latuit latuitque Latinos, Germani sollers extudit engenium. Nunc, quidquid veteres sapiunt sapiuntque recentes, Non sibi, sed populis omnibus id sapiunt.
johann gensfleisch zum gutenberg dem mainzer patrizier, errichteten seine mitbürger mit spenden aus ganz europa im jahre 1837 dieses denkmal.

Signature

At the foot of the bronze statue: PROPRIETAS MOGUNTIA
THORWALDSEN sculpsit / romae mdcccxxxv
CROZATIER fudit / parisis mdcccxxxvii

The first relief is signed: Gegossen von J.G.B. Beyer. 1837 Ausgeführt auf Kosten des Städelschen Kunst-Instituts und des Kunstvereins zu Frankfurt a/M. Ausgearbeitet von J.J. Barth

Sculptors

J.J. Barth
Bertel Thorvaldsen (København 1770 - id. 1844), Danish sculptor (his statue) (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Gutenberg-Denkmal (Mainz).
Wikipedia, Liste der Denkmäler, Brunnen und Skulpturen in Mainz.
M. Blumers, Brunnen, Denkmäler und Plastiken in Mainz.

Locatie (N 49°59'55" - E 8°16'17") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: derp167; Photograph: 1 October 2012
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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