Equestrian statue of Wilhelm I in Geislingen an der Steige Germany

CountryGermany
Town:Geislingen an der Steige
Year of creation:1894
Rider(s):Wilhelm I

(1797–1888), who was almost the opposite of Otto von Bismarck, the Minister President with whom he realized the unification of Germany. Bismarck was a tough man with reactionary policies, but Wilhelm was polite, gentlemanly, and despite being a staunch conservative, more open to some liberal ideas than for example his grandson Wilhelm II.
Sculptor(s):Eberlein, Gustav Heinrich

(1847 – 1926) was a German sculptor, painter and writer.

Description:

No less than 65 equestrian statues of Wilhelm I have been created and erected over the years. Fifty of these statues were destroyed, most of them (31) during WW II, 5 before and 9 after that war and unknown when 5. Of the remaining 15 statues one was sold at an auction in 1981 to a private person and one was reconstructed, leaving 15 equestrian statues of Wilhelm I in public space.

This statue originally was made of a synthetic material (galvanoplastic) and was removed for restoration in 1979. This proved to be impossible. The present statue is a new cast from 1980.