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Amphitrite Fountain

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Amphitrite Fountain
The fountain sometime between 1902 and 1920.
53°25′30″N 14°33′00″E / 53.42500°N 14.55000°E / 53.42500; 14.55000
LocationVictory Square, Szczecin, Poland
DesignerReinhold Felderhoff
TypeFountain sculpture
Opening date1902
Dedicated toAmphitrite
Dismantled date12 October 1932
StyleBaroque Revival

The Amphitrite Fountain (German: Amphitrite-Brunnen; Polish: Fontanna Amfitryty), also known as the Amphitrite Monument (Polish: Pomnik Amfitryty), and the Felderhoff Fountain (German: Felderhoff-Brunnen; Polish: Fontanna Felderhoffa), was a Baroque Revival fountain sculpture in the city of Szczecin, Poland (then German Empire), placed at the intersection of current Independence Avenue, Wyszyńskiego Street, and the Victory Square, in front of the Harbour Gate. Designed by Reinhold Felderhoff, it depicted Amphitrite, goddess of the sea in the Greek mythology, as a nude female figure, standing on a chariot drawn by two galloping horses. It was unveiled in 1902, and removed in 1932. It is currently considered lost art.

History

The fountain sculpture was carved by Reinhold Felderhoff, and unveiled in 1902, in front of the former bricked-up entrance to the Harbour Gate, at the intersection of current Independence Avenue, Wyszyńskiego Street, and the Victory Square.

The sculpture, depicting a naked female figure, caused controversy and protests among some religious conservative women.

In 1929, the location of the fountain and its basin was deemed to interfere with the road traffic, and it was removed on 12 October 1932. The sculpture was donated to the Pomeranian State Museum (now Szczecin National Museum), with its further whereabouts remaining unknown.

Characteristics

The focal point of the fountain was the sculpture of Amphitrite, goddess of the sea in Greek mythology, depicted as a nude female figure, holding a trident. She stood on a chariot, drawn by two galloping horses, faced towards the Oder river. The sculpture was most likely made from sandstone, and was inspired by the Apollo Fountain in the Palace of Versailles in France. The water flew from the chariot, and cascaded into a large shallow basin.

References

  1. ^ Encyklopedia Szczecina, tom 2: P-Ż. Szczecin: Uniwersytet Szczeciński, 2000, p. 154. ISBN 83-7241-089-5. (in Polish)
  2. ^ Marcin Gigiel (20 December 2016). "Nie tylko Fryga padła. Najsłynniejsze szczecińskie rzeźby i pomniki, które zniszczono". wszczecinie.pl (in Polish).
  3. Maria Łopuch (4 August 2009). "Sedina, Amfitryta i... dziewczyna z magnoliami". szczecin.wyborcza.pl (in Polish).
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