3-074-590 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Unveiling the German National Monument at Rüdesheim: the Monument, as seen from Bingenbrück, 1883. 'The grand ceremony of dedicating the statue of "Germania," the National Monument to commemorate the victories of 1870 and 1871 [ie the Franco-Prussian War], and the establishment of the German Empire, was performed by the Emperor, King William [Wilhelm] I. of Prussia...A hundred thousand persons were assembled from all parts of Germany The Emperor, conducted by [the sculptor] Professor Schilling, and followed by his entire suite, ascended the steps leading to the monument, and carefully inspected all parts of the great work...At this moment the sun broke through the clouds victoriously, and illuminated this historic scene...The signal-gun was fired, and instantly the military battery at Bingen, and guns on the steam-boats, and in the villages up and down the river, roared forth salutes...Our Illustrations are from Sketches by Mr J. Dinsdale, the artist who attended the ceremony on behalf of this Journal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.