Germany

2011 50 x 50 x 4.4 cm | 29 kg – Multi-layer fused glass with pigment inclusion

Black, red and yellow (gold): these three colors are part of German history. They are found from the 12th century to the beginning of the 19th century on the banners of the Holy Roman Empire which serves as a legal framework for the cohabitation of the different lords, almost autonomous but recognizing the emperor as their leader. In 1815, these were the colors of the uniforms of the Freikorps, volunteers who came from all over Germany to fight the Napoleonic Great Army under the orders of Baron Von Lützow. In 1832, they officially became the symbol of the fight for civic freedoms and national unity when 30,000 citizens and students gathered at Hambach Castle. It was just the beginning of a long adventure. Despite the failure in its attempt at unification, the revolution of 1848-1849 led to the adoption of the black-red-gold flag. But after the proclamation of the Second German Empire in 1871, the people found themselves torn apart by a severe struggle opposing the supporters of the revolutionary colors to the defenders of the new imperial colors (black-white-red).