Far End Of Lincoln Park

Jo-hann Wolfgang con Goethe is a well known writer among Chicagoans and Germans. In 1913 there was a statue made in his honor and honor to the German Chicagoans represents safety, security, freedom and perfection.

At the far end of Lincoln Park, Sheridan and Diversy, stands a monument that is dedicated to Jo-hann Wolfgang von Goethe. The statue itself is on a large square object which displays the dedication of the statue by the German people of Chicago in 1913. Behind the actual statue is another monument, and this one is a memorial for Goethe. Neither of the works of art have an artists name, except the statue, which on the backside has the name Miller carved into it. Typically a person could assume this is who did the artwork but there are also other markings that look to be like graffiti. After doing some research, linking the statue to the name became impossible, so from here on out the artist will be unknown for the purpose of this review. The plaque from the German people of Chicago is located on the base which the statue rests upon. The date that is given is 1913, so the assumption can be made that this statue was made in the late 1900's or early teens. The sculpture is a freestanding monument of a very well defined man with an eagle on his knee. The medium is cast bronze that has been cleaned recently because there is no patina on it. Like the artist, the dimensions of the statue are not known either; however, the statue soars at least 25-30 feet into the air. The base easily stretches at least 10 feet on each side.

The site is very important to the German people of Chicago who dedicated the statue to Jo-hann Wolfgang von Goethe. The statue mainly stands for freedom, and at this time Hitler was just coming into power. The square base is surrounded by a circular area of flowers approximately 20 feet in diameter, most likely recently added, and also a wonderful circular stone walkway about ten feet deep with benches of concrete in the same circular design at the edge of the circular pathway. The back of the statue faces Lake Michigan while the front of the statue faces the city west side.

The base of the statue is square and almost as large as the statue itself. At a first glance it appears to be cast bronze but upon close inspection it is actually another substance, possibly concrete or stone, that has been painted bronze. The brush strokes are barely noticeable and only upon looking close, can be seen. This was probably to cut down on cost because it would not have been cheap to cast a square block, the size of a truck, in bronze. The idea of the statue being of cast bronze is much clearer when you see the two colors next to each other; one is much deeper than the other.

The statue itself is of a man with his right foot up on a rock. Upon his right knee is an eagle that's body is facing towards the man but the head is looking west into the city, exactly the same direction the man is looking. The man himself has his right arm on top of the eagle, petting it, and his left hand poised on his left hip. He's wearing nothing but a cape that folds nicely over his right leg between his body and the eagle, barely covering his genital area. He and the eagle are both looking in the same westward position as if they are watching over the area. The front of his body is perfect with nicely toned abdominal muscles and full pectorals. The muscles show that he's a very active man most likely a protector. The eagle resting on his right knee has rather large claws (nails), and they are not digging into his skin which means that he and the eagle are together as protectors. The slightly bent over body of the man suggests that not only is he looking closely for trouble but he is ready to act immediately. The eagle wings are closed but the tail feathers are ruffled also suggesting