Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Equestrian Statue of Frederick William IV

The Equestrian statue of Frederick William IV stands before the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin-Mitte and commemorates the Prussian king Frederick William IV (1795–1861). Designed by Gustav Blaeser and executed by Alexander Calandrelli between 1875 and 1886, it is made in the style of Realism and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Berlin school of sculpture. The monument is 9.60 meters high in total, with a 5.20-meter main figure showing the king in uniform with ermine on horseback. Its bronze sculptural parts are set on a granite architectural base, decorated with allegorical and relief figures.

Frederick William IV equestrian statue in front of a classical building with columns and a sculpted frieze.
The Frederick William IV equestrian statue seen from the front, set before a classical facade.
June 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frederick William IV equestrian statue on a tall stone pedestal with allegorical figures, set before a classical building and staircase.
The Frederick William IV Equestrian Statue rises on a multi-tiered pedestal with allegorical figures in front of a classical building.
© Frankl, A. · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Frederick William IV equestrian statue on a tall stone pedestal, with a grand neoclassical building in the background.
Frederick William IV equestrian statue seen from below, standing before a grand neoclassical building.
1905 © Vanderplaetse, K. (verzamelaar) · Public domain
Frederick William IV equestrian statue on a granite pedestal with allegorical bronze figures at the base.
The Frederick William IV equestrian statue stands on a multi-tiered granite pedestal, framed by an ornate classical building in the background.
August 2016 © · CC0
Frederick William IV equestrian statue on a multi-tiered pedestal with decorative railings, shown in a historic grayscale photograph.
Frederick William IV equestrian statue on its ornate pedestal, shown in a historic grayscale photograph.
March 2020 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleEquestrian statue of Frederick William IV
German titleReiterstandbild Friedrich Wilhelms IV.
TypeEquestrian statue

Historical context

SubjectKing Frederick William IV of Prussia
PurposeCreated for the founder of Museum Island

Creator

DesignerGustav Blaeser
Executed byAlexander Calandrelli

History and restoration

Date1875–1886

Physical characteristics

Set membershipOne of the originally six equestrian statues oriented toward Berlin Palace
Figure height5.20 meters
OrientationAligned toward Berlin Palace
Height9.60 meters

Materials

MaterialsBronze sculpture with granite architectural parts

Technique

StyleRealism

Appearance

Main figure depictionFrederick William IV in uniform with ermine, mounted on horseback, head turned toward Berlin Palace, holding the reins
Subsidiary figuresAllegories of Religion, Poetry, History, and Philosophy
ReliefsFront: a boy; right: Cologne Cathedral; back: a girl; left: trophies
Pedestal inscription"DEM GEDAECHTNISS KOENIGS / FRIEDRICH WILHELM IV. / KOENIG WILHELM. 1886."

Significance

Art-historical significanceConsidered one of the masterpieces of the Berlin School of sculpture