Hans Waldmann was mayor of Zurich and master of the Kämbel guild in the late fifteenth century. He lead the Confederates in the Burgundian Wars defeating Charles the Bold, but his performance as mayor met with less approval. His attempts to raise taxes led to a peasant revolt which removed him from power and ended with his beheading in 1489.
In 1937, the Kämbel guild erected the equestrian sculpture of Waldmann in front of the Fraumünster church in an attempt to rehabilitate him, feeling the he had been condemned without good reason. The statue was subject to much criticism, in part for the reputation of Waldmann, in part because it was too modern a piece of art to be displayed in central Zurich.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 7 December 2017
Posted as part of Square Sky
Fascinating what was once modern .
PS Can you send me some of that blue sky . . .just glorious. All I have today is dark grey 😦
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Wish it was that easy! I’ve been on a wildlife photography day in grey, rain and cold today. But the sun did oblige at the end of the day.
(and a log fire and red wine are helping right now)
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Oh no – not great for wildlife photography. Actually not great for any activity!!
Hope the red wine/log therapy works well long into the evening x
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Very interesting back story, guess the statue stayed after all despite the opposition.
Warm greetings.
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Swiss democracy I guess.
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