Statues

Statue of Johannes Gutenberg

The Statue of Johannes Gutenberg is a bronze monument created in 1840 by the French romantic sculptor David d'Angers. Installed on Place Gutenberg in Strasbourg, it represents the German printer Johannes Gutenberg and was inaugurated to commemorate four centuries since the invention of printing. The work was commissioned by printers from Strasbourg and created free of charge by the artist. The statue shows Gutenberg holding a parchment inscribed with the words “et la lumière fut.” Standing 3.31 meters high, it forms part of the urban setting of Place Gutenberg and serves as a public memorial to Gutenberg’s association with the history of printing.

Map showing the location of Statue of Johannes Gutenberg in Strasbourg
Location of Statue of Johannes Gutenberg in Strasbourg

Design and Dedication

The Statue of Johannes Gutenberg is a bronze sculpture created by the French romantic sculptor David d'Angers in 1840. It was commissioned by printers from Strasbourg and created free of charge. The statue is installed on Place Gutenberg in Strasbourg and stands 3.31 meters high. It represents the German printer Johannes Gutenberg and was inaugurated to commemorate four centuries since the invention of printing.

The figure depicts Gutenberg holding a parchment inscribed with the words "et la lumiere fut." This detail links the monument directly to the theme of printing and its cultural memory in Strasbourg. As a public artwork on Place Gutenberg, the statue combines commemorative purpose with a prominent urban setting.