Lessing-Denkmal, Bronze monument in Gänsemarkt, Germany
The Lessing-Denkmal is a seated bronze figure that stands on Gänsemarkt square in Hamburg's Neustadt district. The sculpture sits atop a red granite base and remains one of the city's prominent public monuments.
The monument was unveiled in 1881 to mark the hundredth anniversary of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's death. The playwright and critic had served as a dramaturge at Hamburg's National Theater from 1767 to 1770, influencing the city's cultural life.
The statue portrays Lessing in 18th-century attire with intricate details, including ruffled jabots, a vest, knee breeches, and a book in his hand.
The monument is located on a public square and can be visited at any time. Gänsemarkt lies in central Hamburg and is easily accessible on foot or by public transportation.
The bronze sculpture displays two different facial expressions when viewed from either side. This intentional artistic choice makes the monument a visual puzzle that many visitors only notice upon close inspection.
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