Grillparzer monument

The Grillparzer monument by Carl Kundmann (figures), Rudolf Weyr (reliefs) and Carl Hasenauser (architecture) in the Volksgarten in the 1st district was unveiled in 1889, around 17 years after the 81-year-old’s death. It depicts the famous 19th century Austrian playwright together with scenes from his literary works (left: Die Ahnfrau, Der Traum ein Leben, König Ottokars Glück und Ende
Right: Sappho, Medea, Des Meeres und der Liebe Wellen).

Grillparzer was also employed as a civil servant from 1813-1856. Although it was customary at the time for a trainee to wait 12 years for his first salary, he was paid more quickly, receiving his first salary after just four years. As a minor civil servant in the Court Chamber, he celebrated his early literary successes; later in the Ministry of Finance, he was already a famous poet and became director of the Court Chamber Archives.

Grillparzer, like many other greats, constantly changed his lodgings. While in his youth he had to move from one poor dwelling to the next with his impoverished mother, who was widowed at an early age, later inner restlessness, imbalance and severe depression were the cause of many changes of location.