Amazone zu Pferde: Berlin's Serene Warrior Sculpture

In Berlin's Großer Tiergarten, the 'Amazone zu Pferde' (Amazon on Horseback) stands as a significant work of public art. This monumental bronze sculpture, located in Floraplatz, is an enlarged replica of an original piece by the celebrated Berlin sculptor Louis Tuaillon (1862–1919).

Imperial Patronage and Artistic Vision

Louis Tuaillon, a student of the renowned Reinhold Begas, developed his craft in Rome, where he created the original life-sized 'Amazone zu Pferde' between 1890 and 1895. The work, inspired by sketches from Hans von Marées, gained Tuaillon widespread acclaim at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition in 1896. The original sculpture, standing 2.68 meters high, was acquired by the National Gallery in 1898.

Kaiser Wilhelm II was so impressed by the sculpture that he personally commissioned an enlarged version in 1905. This imposing 5.5-meter replica, cast in bronze by the firm H. Noack, was installed in 1906 at Floraplatz in the Tiergarten, a circular area established in the late 17th century. Its installation required the relocation of a baroque 'Flora' sculpture that previously occupied the site.

The Floraplatz Ensemble

To complement the Amazon, Kaiser Wilhelm II also commissioned eight life-sized bronze animal figures to be placed around the central sculpture. These figures—two bison, two elk, two deer, a bull, and a bear—were copies of works originally created by Rudolf Siemering for the George Washington Monument in Philadelphia. This addition was intended to evoke the Tiergarten's past as a royal hunting ground.

A Serene Warrior

One of the most striking aspects of Tuaillon's sculpture is its departure from traditional depictions of Amazons. Unlike more dynamic works, such as August Kiss's sculpture of an Amazon fighting a panther, Tuaillon's figure is a study in calm. She holds her double axe (labrys) without any hint of aggression. Both rider and horse look forward with a serene and upright posture, embodying self-control, mastery, and concentration rather than battle-readiness. This artistic choice marked a significant break from the opulent Neo-Baroque style prevalent at the time, favoring formal clarity and austerity.

War, Damage, and Restoration

The ensemble at Floraplatz suffered significant damage during World War II. By 1946, the Tiergarten was a desolate landscape, and the Amazon sculpture bore bullet scars. Some of the surrounding animal figures were knocked from their pedestals. Between 1949 and 1951, the bull and bear sculptures disappeared, likely stolen for their metal.

A comprehensive restoration project for Floraplatz began in 2019. By 2020, the six surviving animal figures were restored and returned to their original positions. The two lost figures were recast in bronze, fully reconstituting the ensemble as it was first envisioned at the turn of the 20th century.

The Amazon Today

Today, the 'Amazone zu Pferde' and its surrounding animal figures are a prominent cultural landmark in the Großer Tiergarten. The sculpture is publicly accessible, surrounded by a flowerbed and a fine mesh fence that allows for close observation. It stands as a testament to its complex history, from imperial commission and artistic innovation to wartime survival and meticulous restoration.