Ernst Barlach (1870-1938) was an accomplished German artist, with interests ranging from writing and printmaking to sculpture. Despite his popularity as a writer, he faced stiff state opposition to art and most of his sculptures were destroyed or confiscated, after being labeled “degenerate art” by the Nazi regime. Ernst’s most prized extant works are “Magdeburger Ehrenmal” or “Magdeburg Cenotaph” and sculptures based on the theme of Russian beggars.
Barlach’s change of stance from a war proposal in his early years to an anti-war ‘expressionist’ subsequently drew much of the ire of the state. “Magdeburg Cenotaph (Magdeburg Ehrenmal)” is a classic example of his anti-war sentiments in recent years. The Jurisdiction of Magdeburg originally commissioned this work from Ernst, as a war memorial to commemorate the sacrifices of German soldiers in the First World War. Barlach, for his part, transformed the very subject of this sculpture into an indictment of the “war” mentality. This monumental work was created in 1929 as a monochrome bronze sculpture with three full and three half figures. The figures represent Russian, French, and German soldiers in different headdresses, but with similar Gothic drapery throughout their length, a feature of most of Ernst’s works. The most notable feature of this cenotaph is the somber expressions that bind all the figures in a similar thread of emotions and explain the horror, catastrophe, sadness and pain that wars bring.
The sculptor has carved the human figures, in “Magdeburg Ehrenmal (Magdeburg Cenotaph)”, including hands and facial expressions with a dazzling finesse that adds further impetus to his already forceful subject matter. The taller central figure is depicted loosely holding a large cross, with a war-torn face and view, seemingly directed directly at, but staring into space. The beginning and ending years of World War I, 1914 and 1919, respectively, are engraved on the front of the cross. On both sides, relatively smaller soldier figurines are carved, measuring just to the shoulder line of the central figure, bearing a similar countenance marked by serenity and sadness. At the feet of three standing figures are three half figures depicting the terror and sadness that engulfs their lives. The statute on the far right is shown hiding his face under a thick veil, clenching his fists tightly, as if cowering in fear of being taken. The central figure is that of a soldier bowing his head down and lamenting the consequences of the war. The third figure on the far left is shown, desperately trying to cover his ears against the deafening sounds of war.
The Magdeburg Cathedral Parish Council eventually ordered the removal of “Magdeburg Ehrenmal (Magdeburg Cenotaph)”, which also faced the possibility of confiscation by the Government. After his retirement, this sculpture was kept in the Bern Art Gallery and was only able to return to Magdeburg Cathedral in 1955. No matter how much opposition Barlach faced at the hands of the Nazi regime during his lifetime, his dedication to peace still lives through the “Magdeburg Ehrenmal (Magdeburg Cenotaph)”.
