50
Stein des guten Glücks (Stone of good fortune), 5.4.1777
- 5.4.1999
travertine; 161cm x 89 cm x 89 cm
JOHANN
WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
Born in Frankfurt on 28th, August, 1749, died on 23rd, March, 1832; given the
title of nobility in 1782. A German encyclopaedia (“Der Neue Brockhaus”)says
that Goethe was a light-humoured person full of imagination. His novel “Die
Leiden des jungen Werther” (1774) made him famous also in other countries
than Germany. It was only in the last months of his life that he accomplished
his tragedy “Faust”. But Goethe was not only adored and appreciated
for being a writer and poet but also as a universal scholar. It is said in the
encyclopaedia that Goethe´s understanding of nature was based on grasping
and studying very pure and simple forms. The “stone of good fortune”,
erected in 1777, seems to be an affirmation of this statement.
When Daniel Spoerri saw it in Goethe´s garden in Weimar, he admired it
for being so incredibly modern and immediately decided to have a copy made for
the “Giardino”.