Did Ernst Barlach externalize an internal astrological program?

André Horstmann
Sep 2, 2018 · 9 min read

The following text is an exercise to find a deeper meaning behind what German Ernst Barlach, who died in 1938, sculptured, draw and wrote. The question to answer is: Did Barlach externalize an internal astrological program? 12 archetypes are used to describe the characteristics of 12 zodiac signs, houses and the 10 planets.


Käthe Kollwitz wrote about Ernst Barlach in 1939, one year after his death: “When i ask myself, what is the reason for the strong impression which Barlach’s works made on me, than i believe it is that what he expressed in the following way: ‘it is outside like inside.’ Form and content coincide. This is the convincing element in his art.” It is pure astrology translated into sculptures, drawings and texts.

The Astrologer 1

Ernst Barlach: Sternreigen (detail), 1917

It is a clear night and the astrologer looks freezing at the sky to decode the role of planets and their aspects. He is alone with his interpretation and wrappes his slim body into a wide coat of knowledge found in books. He feels like a small light lost in the infinite universe. But his blinking is similar to the one of million stars around him and suddenly he feels being part of those who enlighten the world when it’s dark and cold.

The Warrior

Ernst Barlach: Der Berserker, 1910

The warrior wants to prevail. He swings his sword and symbolizes action. The ennemies around him may come closer and restrict more and more his freedom. But for him, it confirms his dictum: no risk no fun. He stands firmly with both legs on the ground of the reality. The daily fight and the action on the battle field, this is his real life. He uses all the weapons which are given to him to enforce his selfconfidence. Even strong ennemies do not intimidate him and stop his adventurousness or recklessness. He is amongst the first volunteers when it is needed to defend what has been conquered.

The Loving one

Ernst Barlach: Tänzerin, Fries der Lauschenden, 1935

The one who loves, has found life’s foundation and cares about herself. This self love is an essential condition of being able to love others. She is a daydreamer understanding perfection and learning that nature performs a cyclic renovation and repetition. Her dreams becomes true one day by materializeing in wealth as part of herself. Once the eyes are opens, this dream might vanish into thin air, but the picture of a magnificient garden remains imprimted in her memory. She recalls the abundance of this dream to fix an objective close to perfection. This imagination activates desire and patience to create.

The Messenger

Ernst Barlach: Der Wanderer im Wind, 1934

The messenger leans against the strong wind. He carries heavy news to their destination, the curious audience. He is safe thanks to weatherproof hat and coat protecting head and body which embrace what is to be transmitted. He is prepared for a storm of reaction, when the message is released, because the messanger is judged often guilty for the message he conveys. He knows the audience, he knows supporters and opponents. He is prepared to deal with them properly. He is an important player at this fair for great news. Entering the place, he shouts to the crowd: do you know the newest news? He takes his hat and throws it into the crowd. Some of them jump up and exult him. Others lean back and grumble because the news are old hats. He absorbs all the comments, whether good or bad, and surprises with well reflected answers.

The Mother

Ernst Barlach: Mutter Erde, 1921

The mother is ready to receive back all what came out of her. Her arms are widely open. She embraces all, no matter whether victim or delinquent. She consoles the unfortunate and understands the needs of the happy. She is plenty of warm feelings and has a big heart to understand grief and despair. Her gesture promises maternal care. She expresses the feeling of security. Sometimes she shows also her vulnerability, but her absolute acceptance remains. Only with her, all can feel at home protected by her love.

The King

Ernst Barlach: Der Wartende 1937

The king has achieved his vision of a peaceful and succesful kingdom. He is clear with himself and feels plenty of energy and power. He looks back on a life of self-realization. He created wealth which makes him proud and some others envious. He knows how to protect the achievements also without wearing constantly a crown. His vitality is nourrished by will and self conviction and that puts the throne in the middle of the kingdom’s main hall. Faithful followers surround him and satisfy his need for recognition. His look expresses fatherliness and includes everyone who is present, wanting it or not. He is gratful for such a crowd which adores him and in compensation he takes over the responsibility for them.

The Administrator

Ernst Barlach: Der Mantelanzieher, 1918

The Administrator is on the go. He was called to other side of the road where the editor’s offices are. He calls the foreman of the printing factory to watch out that the workers do their job correctly and the machines run at the right speed. He reminds how important it is to be in time and admonishes those who feel a bit distracted. Criticism is needed to avoid superficiality and negligeance when he is absent. He slips into his coat and respires deeply. Now, he has to face the difficult task to inspire a group of bookeepers, but he knows how to do. He is analytical and knows what is good and what is bad. He is able to separate. His brain works continuously looking for higher efficacy and optimization.

The Wise Righteous

Ernst Barlach: Das Wiedersehen, 1926

The wise righteous embraces the solicitant as his better half. He is like a mirror, an amendment. Only together they are complete. Their relationship creates harmony. The solicitant receives what he is looking for and the wise righteous gives what he possesses: the inner beauty as expression from another world. Their silence enhances understanding and the inner voices can talk to eachother without disturbances and misunderstandings. A dream in hard times becomes true and suddenly they dance through the sky. Their partnership is crucial because they need each other. They meet half way coming from opposite endpoints, mundane and celestial. Once their hearts are united and emptied they return to their places, their daily life, the kaffeehaus, where others are waiting and looking for them. They are loved because of their openness, sociability and diplomacy and their sense for beauty.

The Alchemist

Ernst Barlach: Die Flamme (detail), 1934

The alchemist carries an idea and knows that its implementation requires all in or nothing. The idea survived the dark cave thanks to the alchemist’s imagination which ignites and stabilizes the inner light. When the transformation is completed, the alchemist returns into the daylight. His hair forms an aureole around his head and shows the effect of the fire which enlightens him. The light is visible also from outside and shines even in the deepest darkness. The brightness of his appeareance is appreciated by the society. Obstacles and resistances become visible and can be eliminated.

The High Priest

Ernst Barlach: Der Geisteskämpfer, 1927/28

The high Priest keeps en garde his sharp sword and masters his enthusiasm strong enough to displace mountains. His wings are ready to be deployed for the conquest of new horizons and the growth of his personality. To show the sword helps him to be respected and acknowledged. As humanistic fighter he uses the weapon of his intelligence only to defend and protect other humans. He is an angel, a fighter for the good, symbol of the belief that humans are helpful and good. He has great ideals and wants to discover the mystery of the world. The freedom is always the freedom of those who think it differently. This idealistic slogan is written in his heart. The wings carry him through the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. The sword of his intelligence helps him to overcome even firm obstacles.

The hermit

Ernst Barlach: Der Asket, 1925

Also the hermit is wrapped into a coat as he has to protect the fire of responsibility which burns in him. His spirit is mature, he understands destiny and death and therefore, he is a powerful teacher. He knows how to outgrow by being ascetic and suppressing emotions. When all duties are accomplished, he can enjoy a little bit of fun, not more. His working place is in the desert in self chosen loneliness. His vocation is to serve and idea. Others know that he is strong enough to persist. He smiles seldom and sees the life rather from a serious angle. He understands the need of enjoyment, but he hardly allows it to himself. In a conversation he is realistic and he lets out only the necessary wrapping it into a clear structure.

The fool

Ernst Barlach: Lachende Alte, 1937

The fool cannot withstand the internal tension and he must release it through laughs and wondering about traditional and easy to understand. He anticipates innovation in an unusual language. The only comment which he often hear is that he speaks rubbish. His gestures hide the wish for liberation and rennovation and have deep roots in human history described by liberté, égalité, fraternité. He is surrounded by other fools who follow him already for a long time with the convinction that his behaviour hides the truth. A truth which is expressed by original toughts igniting self-reflexion in others. His individuality and strength contribute to free from deadlocked procedures. He freed himself and gives hope to others to liberate themselves thanks to his example.

The seer

Ernst Barlach: Der Wüstenprediger, 1912

The seer has only internal frontiers due to his microcosm. He presses his fists as he want to break them. He carries the desire of dissolution and surpassing them. But in a narrow world he feels like a victim of his envrionment, a prisonner of his body. On the other hand he feels as part of the universe having a great sense of orientation because the universe is his life. Knowing that Above and Below are part of one great thing he believes thas macrocosm and microcosm are elements of the same reality. This knowledge makes him ready to help others to find orientation. He has compassion for those who suffer, for those who cannot cope with all that continuous motion and for those who experience dizziness once they acknowledge that the universe is infinite and moving. The home of the seer is the universe, where he knows all the angles. His compassion with others makes him sometimes influenceable but this is just appeareance. He exposes his light in the universe and becomes a point of reference for others, making it less infinite.

The Astrologer 2

Ernst Barlach: Sternreigen (1917)

He lifts up the light to shine with the others. But the other stars fade and disappear in the light of his lamp. His star outshines the other stars in the universe. With last power he stages his knowledge. His legs sink into the ground and he is starting to merge with the earth. The light fixes his position connecting him to eternity.

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