3-047-005 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Monument to Baron Stein, at Nassau, [Germany], 1872. 'The statue, which is of colossal dimensions, is the work of a rising sculptor of Berlin, named Phul. In style it is severely realistic. The philosopher and statesman stands erect, wrapped in a heavy greatcoat. In his right hand he carries the scroll of his celebrated scheme of reform, which is inscribed "Nassau, July 1807;" with his left he seems to point out, with energy, to the people the arduous path which must be pursued to attain their moral and social regeneration...This statue is placed within a Gothic shrine built of red sandstone, which seems of dimensions too small for the size of the figure. The whole is placed upon a structural base, at a considerable height, on the spur of a hill exactly facing the ruins of Stein Castle...being set with its face turned to the mountain side, where crumble the ruins of Stein Castle, the back and side of the figure are presented to the road below, whence it has an effect little imposing. Would it not have been better placed in or near the public thoroughfare in the town itself?...by the small dimensions of the Gothic structure in which it is placed, the sun is shaded from the face, even at early morning, producing a disagreeable effect'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.