April 23, 1864 on Shakespeare’s 300th birthday the German Shakespeare society was founded. It is one of the oldest still active literary societies worldwide. In 1904, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the society ordered a memorial which was done by sculptor Otto Lessing.

Shakespeare is sitting in front of an artificial ruin, at his feet is a skull wearing a fool’s cap.

Unfortunately at the time I was there I was not aware that Shakespeare’s face is showing two different emotions. From the right he is supposed to look serious and pensive, from the left smiling and cheerful. Missed that! You can see the two sides of his face here (smiling & serious).

The statue is the only statue of Shakespeare in Germany (some sources say in Europe, but I’m not sure that is so).