Explore the Symbolism of this artwork.
The choice of the goddess Athena reflects how the Siegle family liked to see themselves. Athena is the protector of the city of Athens but moreover she is considered the goddess of wisdom and the patroness of the arts and sciences. Gustav and Julie Siegle were also generous supporters of cultural, social and scientific purposes. Not only was the first hospital (1893) in Feuerbach theirs, but also the Gustav-Siegle-Haus in Stuttgart in 1912, which was used for popular education.
Moreover, the system of fountains symbolizes the dual value of all human striving for knowledge. According to Greek mythology, Prometheus brought fire to men and was cruelly punished for his act by Zeus. On the other hand, Pandora brought all the evils to humanity by leaving them only hope.Three years later, in 1914, Karl Donndorf undertook another work in Stuttgart on the ambivalence of good and bad with the Schicksalsbrunnen (Fountain of Destiny), composed of the Goddess of Fate in the center of a semicircle, on the left the statue of the allegory of pain, on the right the statue of the allegory of joy and love.
Gustav-Siegle-Haus Athena Pandora Prometheus Schicksalsbrunnen Goddess of Fate Greek mythology Stuttgart Karl Donndorf Zeus Athens Feuerbach