Beethoven in Bronze: Exploring Sculptures of the Great Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, the iconic deaf composer, has not only captivated audiences with his music but also inspired countless artists across mediums. Sculptors, in particular, have been drawn to Beethoven’s powerful emotions and enduring legacy. This page delves into the world of Beethoven sculptures, exploring famous works and the stories behind them.
 | Now installed on the Münsterplatz à Bonn, this sculpture was erected on August 12th 1845. Cast in bronze by Ernst Julius Hähnel. |
 | “Beethon”, is the name of this astonishing sculpture, also found at Bonn. A mixture of ‘Beethoven’ and ‘béton’ (concrete), this statue was made by Klaus Kammerichs, and unveiled in 1986. |
 | Franz Klein (1779-1837), created this bust of Beethoven in 1812. The composer was therefore 42 years old. Many copies of this bust exist: one at Bonn, another at Vienna, and more… |
 | In the garden of Beethovenhaus at Bonn, this bust by Cantemir Riscutia. |
 | Also in the garden of Beethovenhaus at Bonn, one finds this sculpture created by Niaoum Aronson in 1905. |
 | Here is another statue, still at Bonn, in the Freizeitpark Rheinaue, south-west of the town centre, folling the Rhine. |
 | A thinking Beethoven, asat naked amongst angels, an eagle at his feet: it’s the vision of the artist Max Klinger. This work was accomplished in 1902, and sold to a committee set up for the occasion, who donated it to the town of Leipzig in 1912. |
 | Monument realised by Rudolf Leopold Siemering and inaugurated in 1904 at Berlin, in the Tiergarten. |
 | This statue of Beethoven stands on the Beethovenplatz, near the Konzerthaus, at Vienna. Caspar Clemens von Zumbush is the creator of this statue in bronze. It was unveiled on May 1st 1880. |
 | Anton Dietrich (1799-1872) made two busts of Beethoven. The first was created in 1821. This bust is kept at the History museum of Vienna. The second was commanded by the Opera of Vienna (the “Wiener Staatsoper”) and was sculpted in 1867. |
 | This statue is installed in the Heiligenstadt park. It was created in marble by Fritz Hänlein following a model by Robert Weigl. It was inaugurated on November 28th 1910. |
 | This bust is situated in the Beethovensruhe at Heiligenstadt. It was errected on June 15th 1863, and is the work of the sculpter Anton von Fernkorn. |
 | This plaque of Beethoven, held by a genius, is on the outside wall of The Beethoven Memorial of Floridsdorf. It was sculpted by Oskar Icha in 1927… |
 | This bust welcoms visitors and fans who visit the concert hall at the Beethoven Memorial of Floridsdorf. |
 | This statue has been inaugurated in 1928 at the Stefaniensaal ate Graz. No other information available so far… |
 | Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) created many sculptures of Beethoven. Around thirty of these are shown at the Bourdelle’s museum, in Paris. |
 | The Beethoven Association of France is at the heart of the erection of this bust of Beethoven in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, in 1970. It was sculpted by Antoine Bourdelle. |
 | For the diverse sculptures of the Opera of Paris, Charles Garnier addresses, notably, Louis Felix Chabaud. Amongst his works are the five busts on the front of the building, of which this one depicts Beethoven. |
 | A plaster creation for the ‘Monument Beethoven’, situated at Vincennes, by the sculptor José de Charmoy between 1909 and 1911. |
 | Italy – Gênes. Here is an extremely original statue entitled “Young Man Beethoven” (Beethoven Giovinetto). This work is by Pasquale Romanelli (1812-1887) in 1863. |
 | United Kingdom – London. This bust is the work of Johann Nepomuk Schaller, an Austrian artist, and was created probably at the request of Carl Holz. Today, it is housed at the British museum. |
 | United Kingdom – London. At Madame Tussaud’s, one can meet Beethoven, siting at the piano… |
 | Hungary – Martonvàsàr. A sculpture by Jànos Pàsztor (1881-1945). It was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in 1927. |
 | Danemark – Copenhague This bust has been realised by Eugène Guillaume, around 1870. |
 | Spain -? A bust by Florentino Trapero, Spanish sculptor, made in 1922. |
 | This bust of Ludwig van Beethoven can be found in the south part of Central Park. Henry Bearer (1837-1908) created it, in bronze, in 1884. |
 | This bust is found at Golden Gate Park, at San Francisco. It is identical to the sculpture in Central Park. It was offered by the choir of New York, in 1914. |
 | It’s at Brooklyn, in Prospect Park, that this statue is found. It resembles those of Central Park in New York and at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. |
 | Arnold Foerster sculpted this Beethoven, inaugurated on October 14th 1932 at the Public Art Division of the Cultural Affairs Department of Los Angeles. |
 | The sculptor Thomas Crawford was born at New York in 1814, and died at London in 1857. He created this statue in bronze of Beethoven for the “Boston Music Hall”. |
 | Russia – Saint-Petersburg. This bust of Beethoven was sculpted around 1863, by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887)… |
 | Japan – Tokyo. This bust of Beethoven was sculpted by Ryumon Yasuda (1891-1965). It was exposed at the National University of Music in Tokoyo in 1938. |
 | Japan – Naruto City. I don’t yet have any more information on this… do you? |
 | Uruguay – Montevideo. It seems that this bust of Beethoven is by Antoine Bourdelle, or at least inspired by his style (notably Beethoven with long hair)… |
 | Jozef Stefanka created Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata in 1984. Jozef uses a lot of different technics and you should visit his website: http://www.slovak.com/trencin. |
 |  | Sculptures by Yvon Tremblay. |
1994 | 2000 |
 |  | The Appassionata is a sculpture by Chris Mikulasek. This truely splendid sculpture exists in only 24 reproductions. Father Christmas has not yet offered me one. |
 | I think this statuette has a really nice air to it. It was realised by the talented Armando Orlandi, otherwise “official supplier” of the midi files found on this site… Thank you again Armando. |
From capturing Beethoven’s stoic determination to portraying the raw power of his music, sculptures offer a unique perspective on the great composer. By exploring these artistic interpretations, we gain a deeper appreciation for Beethoven’s impact and the timeless quality of his art.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sculptures of Beethoven:
Arguably the most renowned Beethoven sculpture is the one in Vienna’s Beethovenplatz, created by Kaspar von Zumbusch in 1880. This bronze masterpiece depicts a majestic Beethoven, seated and gazing intently forward. The surrounding figures add symbolism, with Prometheus representing the creative fire that fueled Beethoven’s music.
The first recorded sculpture of Beethoven is a bust by Franz Klein, sculpted in 1812 while the composer was still alive. This bust offers a more intimate portrayal of Beethoven, capturing his facial features and characteristic hairstyle. It serves as a valuable historical record of the composer’s appearance during his middle age.
Sculptures of Beethoven vary greatly depending on the artist’s interpretation and the period it was created. Early works often depict him in a more realistic light, focusing on capturing his likeness. Later sculptures tend to be more dramatic, emphasizing Beethoven’s deafness or the intensity of his musical genius.
Beethoven’s image has been immortalized in sculptures found worldwide. Major cities like Vienna, Bonn (his birthplace), and New York City boast prominent Beethoven monuments. Additionally, numerous museums and private collections house busts and smaller sculptures of the composer.
Beyond their artistic merit, sculptures of Beethoven offer valuable insights into the composer’s legacy and how he was perceived throughout history. They reveal the evolving public image of Beethoven, from a talented musician to a revered cultural icon whose music continues to inspire generations.