Photographer's Note
Black Lives Matter
On the last day of our stay in Berlin, we visited the Sanssouci Park in nearby Potsdam.
Several castles, of which Sanssouci is the best known and an untold number of statues in the extensive gardens.
Sanssouci was the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1712-1786), in Potsdam.
On the ”hauptallee” between the Sanssouci palace and the exit of the park on the side of the city of Potsdam is a rondell with the name "Mohrenrondell". There are 6 statues in a circle on the road and four of them are exceptional because they are busts of black people. These busts are made of Carrara marble and a black limestone and date from the end of the 17th century. The statues are probably of Italian origin.
It will come as no surprise to you that these statues and especially the name of the rondell provide much food for discussion.
Especially now that the Black Lives Matter movement, which started in 2013 with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter in response to the shooting death of African-American teen Trayvon Martin, quickly grew in popularity in 2020 after George Floyd's death, both in the USA and internationally.
Part of the many protests were attacks on “false” statues. Mostly statues of historical figures who in our view have played a questionable role in the field of discrimination and racial segregation.
In the Netherlands, too, we were confronted with the facts regarding our extensive involvement in the slave trade.
This spring, the so-called Mohrenrondell was discussed in the city council of Potsdam.
A motion stated: “The name is colonial-racist and therefore discriminatory, not only for victims of slavery, but also for black people living in Germany today "….”In a city that professes an edict of tolerance, such designations for public spaces should not be used. ”
“The term "Mohr" mocks people's experiences of exploitation, discrimination and persecution.” A racism researcher advised conducting the debate on how to deal with this heritage in a serious and well-grounded manner and recommends adding enlightening, critical, detached references
The motion asked to change the name of the statues from Frederick the Great's time and indicate the slave trade of his ancestors on an information board near the roundel.
We cannot change history and any attempt to do so must be strongly condemned.
We can, however, judge history with our current moral standards and conclude that much of what was then glorified is now no longer tolerable. This allows us to demonstrate that we have learned from the “mistakes” our ancestors made.
3 Pictures with each two busts of the six Mohrenrondell statues
■ Picture 1: ◄ https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te887-1.jpg ►
■ Picture 2: ◄ https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te887-2.jpg ►
■ Picture 3: ◄ https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te887-3.jpg ►
Fis2, pierrefonds, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, holmertz, Royaldevon, jhm, ikeharel marcou esta nota como útil
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Fis2
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12844 W: 167 N: 22217]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(155625) 2020-10-31 15:50
Witaj Rob!
Another interesting set of photos.
The busts are impressive.
Excellent presentation.
I like colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Nice sunday.
Krzysztof
pierrefonds
(103537) 2020-10-31 16:37
Hi Rob,
This important subject is related to the USA. It is also showing how the USA are creating their own problems against some citizens. The point of view is showing the details of the sculpture. Have a nice day.
Pierre
COSTANTINO
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9425 W: 23 N: 16606]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(104159) 2020-10-31 22:14
hello dear Rob and have a nice day
original version
a different photo from the usuals
with two impressive sculptures...
thanks for your useful notes
in order to understand better
what we can see here...
regards
costantino
Silvio1953
(205719) 2020-10-31 22:51
Ciao Rob, lovely composition with nice two statues, splendid light, excellent clarity, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
emka
(152194) 2020-11-01 0:04
Hello Rob, Fantastic sculptures in the Carrara marbles. I was in Potsdam but it was in 1973 - I do not remember them.
Interesting note.
Best regards MAlgo
jemaflor
(135424) 2020-11-01 0:14
Hi Rob,
Interesting post, good subject with these sculptures well carved, perfect sharpness and contrast with b&w. Well presented, interesting Ws too, tfs.
papagolf21
(152599) 2020-11-01 0:39
Bonjour, cher Rob,
Vous avez abordé un sujet brûlant d'actualité avec beaucoup de tact à travers ces sculptures, qui posent question à certains.
La question de la place de l'histoire dans les sociétés relève tant de la sociologie, de la science politique, de la philosophie que de l'histoire elle-même et de l'historiographie.
Très bien, comme d'habitude.
Amitiés.
Philippe
CMJC
(4773) 2020-11-01 1:16 [Comment]
pajaran
(102632) 2020-11-01 1:51
Pozdrav.
Interesantni sstari kipovi, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
Lepa fotografija u radionci.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.
Greeting.
Interesting old statues, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Nice photo in the workshop.
I wish you all the best.
holmertz
(92852) 2020-11-01 2:55
Hello Rob,
It's not entirely easy to judge whether these busts of Africans are made with respect or intended to show their subordination to the European rulers. But their facial features seem somewhat exaggerated, and why was it necessary to expose the woman's left breast, and why do all African faces seem to look up, while the Greco-Roman figures in the WS are looking down or straight into my eyes? Do these details indicate racial prejudice by the 17th century artist, or am I a victim of prejudice of the attitudes of 17th century Europeans?
Interesting photos and certainly food for thoughts.
Kind regards,
Gert
Royaldevon
(75378) 2020-11-01 3:35
Hello Rob,
Three fine photographs of the busts and a well argued point of view in your notes.
As always, your photographs show a sharp exposure and are nicely cropped for good composition.
I totally agree with your point of view.
Different nations have been involved in the slave trade throughout history; Romans and Vikings are good examples.
It is an abhorrent practice but we cannot turn back the pages of history, only learn from the mistakes. Statues, even of people who benefitted from slavery, are part of our history and appropriate plaques, stating our modern views could be added.
I have not seen anyone eager to pull down or mutilate the statues of Caesar! Enough said!
I am firmly behind Black Lives Matter in fact, All Lives Matter!
Have a good Sunday,
Bev :-)
jhm
(203003) 2020-11-01 5:24
Goedemiddag Rob,
De aankleding van de standbeelden zorgt echt voor contrast.
U heeft een mooie scherpe foto gemaakt.
Mijn mening een beeld met of zonder ogen maakt een groot verschil.
Goed foto werk, bedankt.
Prettige 1 November en hou het veilig,
John
Tue
(82232) 2020-11-01 11:59
Hallo Rob,
Twee van de beelden in dit deel van het park zijn mooi samengebracht en het is uiteraard een interessant discussie hoe je er heden ten dage tegenaan moet kijken en met welk idee de beelden destijds zijn gemaakt. Deze beelden zijn in ieder geval goed onderhouden, in tegenstelling tot sommige andere in het park.
Lars
jean113
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1750 W: 0 N: 5736]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(22047) 2020-11-01 13:12
Hello Rob, all the sculptures that you share with us are beautifully sculpted.
Your notes are very interesting and provoke thought.
I agree with your final paragraph; we have to learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.
lousat
(129957) 2020-11-01 13:17
Hi Rob,i'm proud to see statues made by italian artists and done with italian marble,but the most important thing is the message of your post,in fact we have learned from the mistakes our ancestors made,and this post is a perfect demo about that,great pics well done as usual. Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano
ChrisJ
(160008) 2020-11-03 8:57
Hi Rob,
Despite passing through Berlin twice, with several days on the first trip, I did not do a day trip to Potsdam. Now I regret it. Still, it's not possible to visit everything in Europe. Even after 4 trips around Europe of a couple of months duration each, I still have Iceland, Belgium, & Switzerland on my to do list. I slept through Belgium and awoke in Holland at 5 am, so I am not counting that on my ticked off have seen list. Good graphism with excellent sharpness and tight framing on the statues. The white eyes make them look blinded or angry, perhaps both? Tfs!
ikeharel
(105901) 2020-11-06 5:53
Hello Rob,
Given a contemporary title to these couple of sculptures.
There is an endless opportunities to take photos of statues and sculptures around Europe (and other places), but these couple of black ladie's heads is a bit unusual, yet attractive.
Good afternoon,
Ike
jmdias
(102900) 2021-01-13 11:38
rob
first time I saw such busts were in paris. a nice use of stones of different colors creating special sculptures. about the destruction of public sculptures: I guess most of the personages in statues have not only good aspects. in their time slavery was part of the society and the whole society earned money using slavery.I guess these statues should be preserved and a sign should to inform the history of the personage, saying why he was praised in those old times and why he isn't more praised today..contradictions of old and new times are evident..
take care
jorge
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Rob Zwemmer (alvaraalto)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5583 W: 327 N: 10782]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(42276) - Genre: Pessoas
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2020-07-27
- Camera: Sony DSC RX10 III
- Exposição: f/0.1, 30 segundos
- Map: view
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
- Relato de Viagem: 2020 Duitsland-Polen-Tsjechië
- Date Submitted: 2020-10-31 15:06
