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Schadow Monument in Düsseldorf

The Schadow Monument is a classical memorial erected in Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte on Schadowplatz, which is named after Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow. It honors the painter Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow (1788–1862) with a bust showing him in old age, set on a square pedestal inscribed “W. von Schadow.” The monument was created by August Wittig and Ernst Giese in 1869 and unveiled on 22 June 1869. Schadow had been director of the Royal Prussian Art Academy in Düsseldorf, and under his leadership the international reputation of the Düsseldorf School of Painting was established. The monument is protected as a historic monument.

The Schadow Monument, a weathered bronze bust of W. v. Schadow on a tiered stone pedestal.
The Schadow Monument in Düsseldorf shows a weathered bronze bust mounted on a multi-tiered stone pedestal.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Schadow Monument with a bronze-toned sculpture of an elderly man on a tall stone plinth
The Schadow Monument shows a bronze-toned figure of an elderly man mounted on a tall stone plinth.
© · Public domain
Schadow Monument with a bronze bust on a tall stone pillar and a modern curved building in the background.
Schadow Monument in Düsseldorf, showing a bronze bust mounted on a tall stone pillar.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Schadow Monument bust on a tall stone base with a modern curved building behind it.
The Schadow Monument shows a dark bust on a tall inscribed base, set against a modern building backdrop.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Schadow Monument bronze bust on a stone base with a modern building in the background.
The Schadow Monument features a bronze bust mounted on a stone base in front of a modern building.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleSchadow Monument
TypeNeoclassical bust monument

Historical context

PurposeCommemorates the 50th anniversary of the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts

Creator

ArtistsAugust Wittig and Ernst Giese
Casting foundryH. Gladenbeck, Berlin
Casting year1869

Discovery and provenance

Year created1869
Unveiled22 June 1869
HonoreeFriedrich Wilhelm von Schadow (1788–1862)
Honoree's roleDirector of the Royal Prussian Art Academy of Düsseldorf from 1826 to 1859; co-founder of the Düsseldorf School of Painting
Named afterSchadowplatz is named after Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow

Physical characteristics

InscriptionW. von Schadow
BaseSquare pedestal made of Bavarian sienite
Weight125 kg
Size2 1/3 times life size
FormBust on a square pedestal

Appearance

Depicted subjectThe honored artist in old age

Materials

MaterialBavarian sienite pedestal

Location and ownership

LocationSchadowplatz, Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte, Düsseldorf, Germany

History and restoration

DamageDamaged by bombs on 3 November 1943
Removed24 August 1963, due to construction work at Jan-Wellem-Platz
RestoredAfter removal in 1963
Reinstalled17 November 1964, near its original location, as part of the conversion of Schadowplatz into a pedestrian zone

Significance

Historical significanceUnder Schadow's leadership, the international reputation of the Düsseldorf School of Painting was established
Protection statusProtected monument; legally protected since 21 April 1994
Sponsored since1984