Grupello pyramid
The Grupello pyramid is a sculpture on the Paradeplatz in the center of Mannheim . It was created at the beginning of the 18th century by the Flemish sculptor Gabriel Grupello .
history
Johann Wilhelm became Elector Palatinate in 1690 . During the Palatinate War of Succession , the French destroyed Heidelberg Castle , which is why he resided in Düsseldorf . There he promoted art and culture and appointed Gabriel Grupello as court sculptor. The plan for the pyramid was probably created as early as 1699, when construction of a new foundry house was started, which was suitable for larger sculptures made of cast bronze . The first partial casting took place in August 1705. The pyramid was probably completed in 1714/15.
In 1716 it was on the Galerieplatz in Düsseldorf . The fountain planned with the pyramid was no longer realized. Johann Wilhelm died and his successor, Elector Carl Philipp , dismissed officials and artists, including Grupello, for financial reasons.
In 1738 Carl Philipp had the sculpture brought to Mannheim and commissioned the court architect Alessandro Galli da Bibiena to create a base for the monument. Paul Egell was supposed to make eight fountain bowls with figures, but the latter were never realized. In 1743 the pyramid called Statua was lifted onto the plinth on the Mannheimer Paradeplatz. In the middle of the 18th century the manuscript Thesaurus Palatinus of the privy councilor Johann Franz Capellini von Wickenburg was created, the monument was captured in pictures, which means that the appearance of that time has been passed on.
In the absence of a suitable water supply, the well remained unfinished for 150 years. It was only with the construction of the Mannheim water tower that a central water supply could be set up in the city and pipes laid to the Paradeplatz. In 1888, the sculptor Johannes Hoffart was commissioned to design fountain figures that "should be adapted to the character of the monument and blend in organically with the whole". They were cast by Ferdinand von Miller . At the same time, a basin was created and the base of the pyramid was renewed. The newly designed facility was completed in 1893.
In the Second World War , the figures of Hoffart fell victim to the metal donation despite objections to the preservation of monuments . In 1975, some of the figures, believed to be lost, were rediscovered in private hands. After the production of casts, the well system could be restored until 1989. Up until the 250th anniversary of the installation in Mannheim in 1993, the Grupello pyramid was also extensively restored.
description
The Grupello pyramid represents an allegory of the triumph of princely virtues over vices and the unveiling of truth through time and glorifies the sovereign, Elector Johann Wilhelm . The sculpture is divided into three upwardly tapering parts and, without the base, is 6.90 meters high.
Four river gods are depicted in the lower part. They symbolize the Rhine , Danube , Neckar and Moselle , the four rivers of the country and stand for the parts of the Kurpfalz , Neuburg , Jülich and Berg and the county of Sponheim . At the four corners sit four figures representing the four cardinal virtues . In addition, the facial features are based on real models. To the left of the figures there is a corresponding inscription above a water god.
| Virtue | inscription | description |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Justice Justice |
NUNQVVAM LATET (The Truth) is never hidden |
Central figure with crown, sword and orb. She bears the features of Elector Johann Wilhelm . Also included are a Gallic rooster and a Turkish putto, enemies of the empire . |
| Prudentia wisdom |
QVI MALE AGIT, ODIT LVCEM Anyone who acts badly hates light |
Female figure holding the snake as a symbol of wisdom in the left and the mirror of self-knowledge in the right. The facial features are probably modeled on Maria Anna , the first wife of Elector Johann Wilhelm. |
| Fortitudo bravery |
AGERE PATI ROMANVM EST It is Roman to act in suffering |
The motto points to Mucius Scaevola , holding a sword in his right hand and burning coals in his left. It is not exactly known whose model the figure was created from. Assumptions point to Archduke Karl , Spanish pretender to the throne and nephew of Johann Wilhelm. |
| Temperantia moderation |
MODERATA DVRANT Moderates have perseverance |
Woman figure pouring water into the wine. The face is modeled on Anna Maria Medici , Johann Wilhelm's second wife. |
In the zone above there is a section with trophies corresponding to the cardinal virtues: Hercules (prudence), Minerva (temperance), Janus (valor) and Mauer (justice).
The top section is the most important for the meaning of the pyramid. Chronos , the god of time, reveals naked veritas (truth). In her back, the goddess of glory Fama blows the trumpet for Hercules who fights the Hydra . Elector Johann Wilhelm is symbolized here in the fight against heresy . He receives support from several lions , the heraldic animal of the Electoral Palatinate. Blinded by the heavenly truth, a crowd falls down. They represent figuratively deadly sins and vices , such as greed , lust , gluttony or anger . Grupello was certainly influenced here by Rubens' painting The Fall of the Damned , which the Elector had acquired for his Düsseldorf picture gallery.
A section with Diana and Actaeon was originally planned as the lowest zone, but this could no longer be realized by Grupello.
literature
- Rudi Dorsch: Grupello pyramid with a new look . Mannheim 1993.
- Jürgen Rainer Wolf: Gabriel Grupello's "Pyramid" on the Paradeplatz in Mannheim - a Düsseldorf casting project from 1705 . In: Mannheimer Geschichtsblätter New Series Volume 1/1994 . Sigmaringen 1994, ISBN 3-7995-0955-0 .
- Hans Huth: The art monuments of the Mannheim II district . Munich 1982, ISBN 3-422-00556-0 .
- Udo Kultermann: Gabriel Grupello . Berlin 1968.
- Lutz Tittel: The Mannheimer Paradeplatz in the 19th century . Mannheimer Hefte 1974.
Web links
- Paradeplatz and Grupello pyramid , mannheim.de
Coordinates: 49 ° 29 '13.8 " N , 8 ° 27' 58.8" E