Karl-Marx-Monument
Dublin Core
Title
Karl-Marx-Monument
Subject
Karl Marx monument by Lev Kerbel in Chemnitz (formerly Karl-Marx-Stadt in the GDR), dedicated in 1971.
Description
The monument is 42 feet high and weighs 40 tons. The bronze head sits atop two granite pedestals. The wall behind it contains a multilingual inscription of a rallying cry for workers to unite from The Communist Manifesto, for which Marx is famous. Marx was born in Trier, Rheinland-Pfalz, and has no biographical connection to Chemnitz.
In 1953, the GDR government renamed Chemnitz to Karl-Marx-Stadt, to honor the 70th anniversary of Marx's death. They also hired Kerbel to design and cast a monument of the city's namesake. Kerbel's design is minimalist and contrasts with other socialist-realist monuments because there is no body with which to strike a triumphant pose. Kerbel wanted to emphasize Marx as a philosopher and believed this only required Marx's head and facial expression. The monument is advertised as the second-largest freestanding head in the world. Locally, it is called the "Nishel," the Saxon word for "head." In 1990, citizens voted to change the city's name back to Chemnitz. They decided to keep the massive sculpture and seem to take pride in it. Until 2007, the city's official motto referred to the head.
In 1953, the GDR government renamed Chemnitz to Karl-Marx-Stadt, to honor the 70th anniversary of Marx's death. They also hired Kerbel to design and cast a monument of the city's namesake. Kerbel's design is minimalist and contrasts with other socialist-realist monuments because there is no body with which to strike a triumphant pose. Kerbel wanted to emphasize Marx as a philosopher and believed this only required Marx's head and facial expression. The monument is advertised as the second-largest freestanding head in the world. Locally, it is called the "Nishel," the Saxon word for "head." In 1990, citizens voted to change the city's name back to Chemnitz. They decided to keep the massive sculpture and seem to take pride in it. Until 2007, the city's official motto referred to the head.
Creator
Lev Kerbel, artist
Thomas Hoepker, photographer
Source
Artstor
Date
1971
Photograph: 1990
Rights
Copyright Thomas Hoepker / Magnum Photos
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Sculpture
Physical Dimensions
7.1 meters high (head only), 13 meters high with base
Collection
Citation
Lev Kerbel, artist and Thomas Hoepker, photographer, “Karl-Marx-Monument,” Public Art in East Germany, accessed October 21, 2026, https://charlottedc.net/cms/items/show/1.
Geolocation
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