Focus on this artwork and explain the Creation.
Even more than his predecessors, Daniel Wilhelm Sommerwerck, Bishop of Hildesheim 1871-1905 modelled himself on Bernward and put the saint ever more prominently before the eyes of his diocese. With Kulturkampf and the consolidation of the catholic church in the new German empire ongoing, Bernward's political deeds, especially his role as tutor and advisor to Emperor Otto III and Emperor Henry II gained great symbolic value. Already in the 1870s, therefore, there were plans for a monument. But it was only in 1885, in a pastoral letter on the subject of Bernward that Bishop Sommerwerck made an open appeal, seeking support for the planned monument. The appeal had a surprisingly enthusiastic reception. Even the Prussian government indicated its willingness to cooperate from the outset.
Out of eight submissions, that of C.F. Hartzer was selected. The substructure which he had envisioned was not accepted, however, and Hartzer immediately produced a new design, with the help of the architect Christoph Hehl, who was a close friend of his.
On 28 September 1893, the day before Michaelmas, Bishop Sommerwerck revealed the new monument to a great audience of diocesan clerics, government officials, and the people of Hildesheim in a festive ceremony, calling the saint:
pastoral letter Emperor Henry II Kulturkampf Bernward Daniel Wilhelm Sommerwerck Michaelmas German empire Emperor Otto III Hildesheim Bishop of Hildesheim German Christoph Hehl