The Fountain Deluge, Bydgoszcz, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
Fountain “Deluge” was an unprecedented work of sculpture. This is the result of a competition launched in 1897 by the National Commission of Arts of the Kingdom of Prussia at the fountain – sculpture in Bydgoszcz. Competition won by Berlin artist – sculptor Ferdinand Lepcke (1866-1909).
Work on the fountain lasted nearly six years, the unveiling took place on July 23, 1904. At. 11.00 at today’s Freedom Square and the then Weltzienplatz. The cost of the entire project amounted to about 100 000 marks.
Fountain “flood” presented scene with biblical flood – a saving of humans and animals against rising water. It was a very expressive image: fall rains (imitated by jets of the fountain), water rise, people and animals drowned in surf water. On the tops of three hills collects a handful of creatures in mortal fear, the remnants of the forces seeking refuge.
In the center, on top of a large rock, he stands a muscular young man who left arm supporting the fainting woman, the other hand is trying to pull the rock old man. At the foot of the rock lies he fainted in front of her mother, but who managed to save their child, now helplessly looking around the water the desert. In addition to the rock climbs lion, but not doing harm to people, which is a kind of, how perverse reference to the biblical paradise. On the sides of a large rock, there are two smaller rocks. On the left side of the rock climbed into a bear by saving its young in its mouth lifts them above the water.
On the rock on the right side there is a dramatic, however, already taken from Greek mythology (like a Laookona) Fight man with a huge snake configured around him, who was curled up in a puff of fighting man. Cracks form make a wonderful impression.
Sculptural composition was 6 meters high and made of brass (93% copper, 7% tin). Pool wall built of red sandstone steps of gray granite (Silesian) and the surrounding pavement arranged in a mosaic of the waves. This pool remained, and the fountain are today four stone fish by Józefa Makowskiego.
Author fountains – Ferdinand Lepcke also made for the statue Bydgoszcz “Archer” , which stood on Theater Square in 1910 and today is the most popular symbol of the city on the Brda and Vistula.
Bydgoszcz Fountain “Deluge” have two copies, the first in the scale of 1: 1 was unveiled on November 15th 1906. in the hometown of the sculptor in Coburg (Bavaria), but without the two lateral sculptures, and the other in the scale of 1: 4 was unveiled in 1908. Eisleben (Saxony – Anhalt). Unfortunately sculptures from Eisleben in December 1942 with Bydgoszcz in January 1943 has been melted down for war purposes. Only remained incomplete sculpture in Coburg, on the basis of which the Association for Reconstruction Bydgoszcz Fountain “Deluge” intends to reconstruct this very interesting work of art. Throughout the period of existence, almost 39 years, it enjoyed unflagging interest and was one of the few tourist attractions Bydgoszcz. For good tone was shooting out from the “Deluge”.
Currently, there is a chance that, thanks to the generosity of the inhabitants of Bydgoszcz, this unusual attraction will return to its place.
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