The sculpture Centurione I was created by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj in 1987. It stands near the Old Town Hall of Bamberg at the eastern end of the Untere Brücke (Lower Bridge). [German]
My impression of Centurione I
When I think of Igor Mitoraj, two terms always come to mind: oversize and fragmentary. His sculptures seem oversized and always represent only a part of the human body. And these parts – let us speak about his gigantic heads – also seem incomplete. According to art critics, Igor Mitoraj reminds us of human vulnerability with these works.
I am thinking more of the vulnerability of civilization. His heads look like survivors from antiquity who, after a great catastrophe, stick out of the ruins of their cities. Damaged and in bad condition. So these works encourage me to pay more attention to today’s society.
I feel the same way about Centurione I. The face reminds me of an ancient Roman. The title, which makes me think of the Centurion in a Roman legion, also contributes to this. But I would not have described the ancient hero that way. I miss the helmet with the transverse crest, which is typical for the rank of a Centurio.
The location of the Centurione I
The bronze sculpture stands at the eastern end of the Untere Brücke (Lower bridge) over the Regnitz. A fine place, as many visitors to the city flock here. So there are only a few steps from here to the Old Town Hall.
But the Michelsberg Monastery catches my eye even more while taking the picture. Although standing very far on a hill, it forces itself onto the photo. Its scaffolded towers rise up strangely fragmented. A fitting addition to the thoughtful work of Igor Mitoraj.
Sources / More info
- Igor Mitoraj (Wikipedia)