EBERBACH: Verdun die Weltblutpumpe, 1916

cacheman

VERDUN DIE WELTBLUTPUMPE (Verdun the world blood pump), 1916, Cast Iron, 70mm. VZ RR

The disquieting image of a gruesome leering skeleton, personification of Death, vigorously pumping the lifeblood of Europe's manhood into a scorched and ruined earth, used by Walther Eberbach in his satirical medallion 'Verdun die Weltblutpumpe' was as relevant to British military experience in Picardy in the summer of 1916 as it was to the ordeals of the massive conscript armies of France and Germany.

Askari

Gruesome, but neat!!! I'm surprised, though, that he got away with putting a German helmet on the skeleton of Death.

oldshep

Very, very interesting. What is the name of this style? and was it started by Goetz or is he a member of the movement?
Shep

cacheman

Hey, right you are...at first inspection I was thinking the line on the forehead was the crest of the browline but looking closer, it is wearing a 'picklehaube'!!

cacheman

Shep, These fit within German expressionism and due to the war, were created as a direct reaction against the whole classical (French) tradition. Eberbach is included in the group of Munich School medalists that Goetz was involved with.

elverno

Another remarkable medal, in a collection of such!

cosmicdebris

Wow! Very strong statement!

1jester

I recommend visiting the Verdun battle site.

theboz11

Very inertesting