You only see what you know (Goethe)
During a winter excursion on a UNESCO World Heritage route in Graubünden, my train stopped in Thusis. An elegant lady was sitting outside on the platform, waiting: “Die Reisende” (The Female Traveller), a work by the Swiss artist Robert Indermaur. [German]
Though I don’t believe in fabulous creatures, I always love to see depictions of them. I found this pair of griffins guarding a bollard in front of a building on the historicizing Wiener Ringstraße (Vienna Ring Road).
While walking around Lake Millstatt in the Austrian state of Carinthia, this sculpture of a vigorous man caught my attention. It represented Prince Domitian of Carantania, who became famous for throwing 1,000 pagan statues into the lake.
Salzburg is a very traditional city. Nevertheless, you see a lot of contemporary art in the streets. E.g. the “Gurken” (Gherkins) created by the Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. I like this piece of public art as the pickles seem to have some personality.
This bronze sculpture titled Sonnenanbeter (Sun Worshiper) stands on the terrace of Schloss Eckberg (Eckberg Mansion) in Dresden. From there, guests have a fine view of the Elbe Valley. The creator of this artwork was Sascha Schneider. [German]
The house sign of the Pilatushaus in Nuremberg shows Saint George fighting the dragon. The motif fits well. The owner of this home was a Plattner (amorer), and George was the Saint of his craft guild.
This water basin for washing horses (Pferdeschwemme) stands next to Sigmund’s Gate (Sigmundstor). The basin, generally known as Hofmarstallschwemme, was designed and built in 1693 by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.
Thoughtful monument to Nicholas Winton located at the platform 1 of Prague main railway station. 669 Jewish children were rescued by trains organized by him in 1939. These trains brought the children to London just before World War II started.
If you look at the sculptures decorating the courtyard of Schallaburg Castle (Schloss Schallaburg), you may discover the “Hundefräulein” (Dog Lady). This is the bust of a lady whose head looks like the head of a dog.
The Donkey Fountain (Eselsbrunnen) on the Old Market (Alter Markt) in Halle (Saale) dates back to 1913. Its motiv – a man with a donkey walks over a rug of roses – refers to an old but fun legend. [German]
“Please take a seat but be careful, don’t fall asleep!” This sculpture in Erfurt, named Little Sandman (Sandmännchen), refers to a German children’s bedtime television programme using stop motion animation.
In 1999 a strange figurine appeared in the city of Salzburg. It had chosen a prominent place under the Cathedral Archway between Domplatz and Kapitelplatz: The sculpture “Pietá” by Czech painter and sculptor Anna Chromy. [German]