Berliner Innenstadt in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Zille, Heinrich
Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026
1. Zille, Heinrich Marker
Gassen abseits der Prachtboulevards und die in feuchten Kellern, auf alten Hinterhöfen und in zugigen Dachkammern vergessenen Menschen der Großstadt waren das lokalpatriotisch und sozialkritisch beobachtete Sujet Heinrich Zilles (1858–1929).
Der Zeichner und Fotograf, 80. Ehrenbürger von Berlin und einer der populärsten Künstler dieser Stadt, nannte die Unter- und Arbeiterschicht der wilhelminischen und Weimarer Zeit liebevoll „mein Milljöh“.
Die ca. anderthalb Tonnen schwere Kalksteinskulptur – eine überraschend ausgemergelte Darstellung Zilles – ist eine Hommage Thorsten Stegmanns, der sie zu Zilles 150. Geburtstag schuf, stiftete und hier am 10. Januar 2008 enthüllte.
Ganz bewusst gestaltete der Bildhauer sie nicht mit dem fülligen Körper eines Heinrich Zille, sondern mit gespannter Körperhaltung, markantem Gesicht und stechendem Blick aus kritisch beobachtenden Augen – es ist die Verkörperung des Ur-Berliners.
Indem Stegmann seinen „Zille“ absichtsvoll mit dessen Sujet zu einer einzigen Figur verschmolz – selbstbewusst, charakterstark, geprägt von (künstlerischer) Sturheit und unbeirrbarem Glauben an sich selbst – schuf er eine wechselseitig funktionierende Metapher. Es sind letztlich die gleichen Eigenschaften, die dem Künstler Zille überhaupt erst sein Werk ermöglicht haben, die auch vielen seiner humorvoll dargestellten Figuren zu eigen sind. Das ist kein Zufall. Zum einen wuchs Zille selbst in ärmlichsten Verhältnissen auf, zum anderen sind es eben diese Eigenschaften, die dem Ur-Berliner einst im „Milljöh“ zu (über-) leben halfen.
T. Stegmann (1969) lebt und arbeitet in seiner
this page online
This sculpture ...
is T. Stegmann's (1969) homage to one of Berlin's most famous artists. With his works as a Painter and Photographer, Heinrich Zille (1858-1929) has created invaluable historical pieces of art in Berlin during the Imperial Period and Weimar Republic.
Complaisantly and artistically inspired, he allows us a close view to the world and survival strategies of the poor ones and their children in the Moloch of the City - rag-pickers, whores, factory workers, war invalids...
With the emaciated, but strong-willed appearance of Zille's figure, better known for his corpulence, the sculptor Stegmann is alluding to Zille's relationship with the lower class and his social commitment. He merged subject and artist into only one figure and thus expresses also, that a great artwork might require similar characteristics as the survival in the lower class in those days. On occasion of Zille's 150th anniversary, Stegmann donated the sculpture to the Nikolaiviertel once this place and its surrounding area served as inspiration for most of his motifs.
Erected by Nikolaiviertel e. V.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 2008.
Location. 52° 31.011′ N, 13° 24.386′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Berliner
Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026
2. Zille, Heinrich Marker
The view of the statue and marker along the street.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire, the former East Germany, and at the Berlin Wall.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carl Hildebrand von Canstein (a few steps from this marker); Berlins Hauptstadt / Berlin’s Capital (a few steps from this marker); Hunger vs. Angst (within shouting distance of this marker); Nikolaikirche / St. Nicholas Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Poststraße & Persönlichkeiten / Post Street & Personalities (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nikolaikirche / St. Nicholas Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Carl Gause & Geisterglaube / Carl Gause & Belief in Ghosts (within shouting distance of this marker); Zeittafel der Berliner Geschichte / Timeline of Berlin History (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Also see . . . Heinrich Zille. Wikipedia
Rudolf Heinrich Zille (10 January 1858 – 9 August 1929) was a German illustrator, caricaturist, lithographer and photographer.(Submitted on April 23, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026
3. Zille, Heinrich Marker
The view of the statue in front of the building.
Public Domain - Author Hugo Erfurth - Wikipedia Commons, circa 1922
4. Portrait Heinrich Zille
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 23, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
