Sculpture of a miner

The motives portrayed by the German sculptor Fritz Koelle often include aspects of blue collar working culture. Under the years of National Socialism, Koelle tendered to the ideals of national socialistic arts and culture. This bronze sculpture shows a miner who proudly rolls up his sleeves to go work for his "Fatherland". The miner is wearing a miner's lamp around his loins. Unrelated to this sculpture, Fritz Koelle was tasked by the Bergwerksdirektion ("mining directorate") of Saarbrücken to create a sculpture for the mining building in Landsweiler-Reden. This Saarlandic mining building, which was proclaimed as an "exemplary facility" by the national socialists, was to receive a heroic workers statue to serve as a memorial. In reality, Koelle created a three meters high bronze sculpture that stands on the premises of the former Reden pit to this very day. Its monumental nature is increased further by its socket base. Still, the regionally influenced name "Redener Hannes" prevailed among the population and is used to refer to this miner's monument.