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Athena Protects the Young Hero

Athena Protects the Young Hero is a sculpture by Gustav Blaeser from 1854, installed on the Schlossbrücke in Berlin-Mitte. It is one of eight sculptures placed on high marble pedestals on the bridge, which was built between 1821 and 1824 to a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. All of the figures on the bridge relate to war themes from Greek mythology. Made of white Carrara marble, the sculpture is signed on the plinth: Gust: Blaeser. fec: 1854. Athena is shown wearing a pleated peplos and a helmet with crest, holding her round shield protectively over the warrior while drawing back her spear to throw. The warrior wears a helmet and sandals and holds a drawn sword in his right hand.

Athena Protects the Young Hero stone sculpture showing a helmeted goddess with shield and spear behind a young hero.
Athena Protects the Young Hero, a stone sculpture by Gustav Blaeser, showing the goddess shielding a young hero.
January 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Marble sculpture group of Athena Protects the Young Hero, with a helmeted figure holding a shield behind a young warrior with a spear.
Athena Protects the Young Hero, shown in a sepia-toned photograph of the marble sculpture on its pedestal.
© Unknown · Public domain
Athena Protects the Young Hero sculpture on a tall pedestal, showing two helmeted figures and a raised shield against the sky.
Athena Protects the Young Hero, shown in a low-angle view on its pedestal.
© · CC BY 2.0
Athena Protects the Young Hero statue on a pedestal with pedestrians nearby, with the Berlin Cathedral and TV tower in the background.
Athena Protects the Young Hero in Berlin, with pedestrians passing and the Berlin Cathedral and TV tower visible behind it.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Athena Protects the Young Hero statue on a tall pedestal beside a sidewalk with people walking below.
Athena Protects the Young Hero stands on a tall pedestal outdoors, with pedestrians passing below.
1998 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleDie Athena beschützt den jungen Helden
TypeSculpture
Object typeReplica of the group

Creator

ArtistGustav Blaeser

Historical context

Date1854
ThemeAll figures on the bridge relate to war themes in Greek mythology
Bridge construction date1821–1824, after a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel

Discovery and provenance

SignatureSigned on the plinth: "Gust: Blaeser. fec: 1854."
Acquired1924

Materials

MaterialWhite Carrara marble

Physical characteristics

Warrior's helmetHelmet
Warrior's sword beltA strap runs diagonally across his chest with the sword scabbard
Warrior's swordHe has drawn the sword and holds it in his right hand
Athena's spearSpear raised in her right hand as if about to throw it
Athena's shieldRound shield held protectively over the warrior in her left hand
Athena's helmetHelmet with a crest/plume
Athena's clothingPleated peplos
Depicted figuresAthena and a young warrior
Warrior's footwearSandals

Location and ownership

Current locationSchloßbrücke, Berlin-Mitte, Berlin
Part of ensembleOne of eight sculptures installed on the bridge
Replica locationPark de Pauuw (Prinsessetuin), Wassenaar, Netherlands

History and restoration

Displayed in park until1929
Removed to storage1929, because it apparently aroused offense or displeasure
Restored1997
Reinstalled1997, at its former place in the park
Historical relocation during World War IIThe eight sculptures on the Schloßbrücke were stored during World War II and subsequently ended up in West Berlin territory
Transfer in March 1981In March 1981, on the initiative of West Berlin governing mayor Hans-Jochen Vogel, the sculptures were handed over to the GDR
Exchange in March 1981In return, the archive of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory was transferred from the GDR to West Berlin