Hans-Carl-von-Winterfeldt-Denkmal in Berlin

The Hans-Carl-von-Winterfeldt-Denkmal is a monument in Berlin dedicated to the influential Prussian general, Hans Karl von Winterfeldt (1707-1757). Originally commissioned by King Frederick II in 1759, the memorial exists in two distinct forms, each reflecting a different era of German art and history.

The Two Statues

The first version of the monument was a Carrara marble sculpture created between 1774 and 1777 by Johann David Räntz the Younger and Johann Lorenz Wilhelm Räntz. This rococo-style piece depicted General von Winterfeldt in a Roman uniform. Since 1904, this original marble statue has been housed in the Bode Museum.

In the mid-19th century, a decision was made to replace the original. A bronze version was sculpted by August Kiss between 1857 and 1860 and installed in 1862. This realist-style statue portrays Winterfeldt in a proper Frederician uniform and is the version that stands in public today.

A General's Legacy

Hans Karl von Winterfeldt was a highly trusted confidant and advisor to King Frederick the Great. His military career was extensive, including the War of the Polish Succession, the Silesian Wars, and the Seven Years' War. He was instrumental in modernizing the Prussian military, contributing to army reforms, the establishment of the general staff, and the development of the first modern military intelligence program. His life was cut short when he died from wounds received at the Battle of Moys in 1757.

An unexpected detail reveals a compassionate side to the general; he personally paid the state's bill for the execution of Hans Hermann von Katte, Crown Prince Frederick's friend, to spare Katte's family the indignity.

A Journey Through Berlin

The monument's location has shifted over time, mirroring Berlin's own turbulent history. The original marble statue was one of six memorials to generals of the Silesian Wars placed on Wilhelmplatz in 1777. The bronze replacement stood in the same spot until 1936, when it was removed due to urban redesigns.

After being stored during World War II and a brief display in the Lustgarten in 1987, the bronze monument was restored. In 2009, it was re-erected on Zietenplatz in Berlin-Mitte, where it remains a historical landmark.

A Modern Landmark

Today, the bronze statue on Zietenplatz is a fixture of Berlin's historical landscape. However, it has also become part of contemporary discussions about historical figures. In June 2020, amidst protests, the statue was vandalized with white spray paint, along with other monuments of Prussian generals. This event highlights the ongoing public discourse surrounding the representation of figures associated with militarism in modern urban spaces.