Heinrich der Löwe in Eisen, Wooden statue in Braunschweig, Germany
Heinrich der Löwe in Eisen is a wooden figure approximately 3.90 meters tall, standing under a canopy at Braunschweig Castle and depicting the duke in full armor with sword and shield. The work was designed to engage donors who could participate in the statue by making contributions to it.
The work was created in December 1915 during World War I as an innovative fundraising method. Visitors drove nails of different materials into the statue as a donation activity to support soldiers at the front and in military hospitals.
The statue depicts Henry the Lion, a powerful medieval duke, dressed in armor with sword and shield. It reflects the warrior culture of that era and the importance of this ruler in the region's identity.
The work is located in a protected spot under the castle and is easily visible from outside. The best time to visit is in good daylight so you can clearly see the details of the figure and the nails driven into it.
Nails were offered in different materials - iron, bronze, and gold - with each material representing a different donation amount. This tiered giving structure allowed people from all walks of life to participate in the campaign and make their support visible.
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