saint-eligia

The sculpture 'Saint Eligia' is a fascinating piece of public art in Göttingen, located on the exterior facade of the building at Jüdenstraße 33. It was created by the artist Bernd Löning, who is well-known for other distinctive concrete sculptures throughout the city. The figure gazes down from its console upon passersby, blending harmoniously into the historical cityscape.

The depiction of Eligia is an artistic interpretation of a patron saint, with the name often associated as the feminine form of Eligius, the patron saint of goldsmiths and metalworkers. In Löning's characteristic style, the figure is shaped with a bold and expressive form, giving it a timeless, almost archaic presence. This deliberate reduction to essential shapes directs the focus toward the spiritual and protective aura of the character.

Technically, the sculpture is an excellent example of Löning's work with cast concrete. This modern, industrial material is used here to create a figure with a sacred feel, generating a compelling dialectical contrast. The surface texture of the concrete reacts to weathering over the years, allowing the artwork to acquire a natural patina and become a living part of the city's history.