The Double Statue
A wooden masterpiece of 'Mephistopheles and Margaretta' based on Goethe's famous work 'Faust" from the 19th century.
A Double Statue?
The unique 'double statue' depicts characters Mephistopheles and Margaretta, from Goethe's 'Faust', who embody the conflict between good and evil that drives the story, a tragic play published in two parts, Part One in 1808 (image is of copy in English) and Part Two in 1832.
Who was Goethe?
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a figure in German literature was a poet, playwright, novelist and scientist best known for his masterpiece, 'Faust', a philosophical drama exploring the nature of good and evil. The 'Double Statue' is based on this tale of heroism, love and tragedy.
Double statue at Dewan Deodi (1951/1951)Salar Jung Museum
At the palace
The Double Statue was initially housed in the French Room at 'Dewan Deodi' (1951-1968), the ancestral palace of the Salar Jung family. They are founders of Salar Jung Museum which opened in 1951 at Hyderabad.
Nawab Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I acquired the Double Statue on his visit to Europe in 1876. However, Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, was the main collector of artefacts, books and manuscripts of the Salar Jung Museum.
Mephistopheles and Margeretta (1801/1899)Salar Jung Museum
The Double Statue
This sculpture, crafted from sycamore wood by an unknown French artist in the 19th century, beautifully captures the essence of Mephistopheles and Margaretta, two pivotal characters in the play.
Mephistopheles and Margaretta
The statue which is two-sided, made from a single block of wood with back-to-back figures of Mephistopheles and Margaretta, has a captivating story to tell about good versus evil. This tale has been staged to large enthralled audiences.
The evil arrogance on the face of the male figure of Mephistopheles is in sharp contrast to the rather subdued and gullible looking Margaretta who represents the 'good' character.
Mephistopheles is clad in a hooded cloak, heeled boots and has a long gaunt face with a cynical smile, ...
... Margaretta is shown as a shy girl, shown with a prayer book and downcast eyes. The sculpture has a height of 177.2 cm.
The story begins
Goethe's 'Faust' is a tragic play in two parts and tells the story of Heinrich Faust, a scholar who becomes disillusioned with the limits of human knowledge and experiences a deep existential crisis.
A pact with the devil
Seeking deeper meaning, Faust makes a pact with Mephistopheles, the devil, agreeing to sell his soul in exchange for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.
A love affair
Faust enjoys various experiences including a romantic relationship with Margaretta, an innocent girl. Their relationship leads to tragic consequences for her and her family.
A state of grace
Faust's relentless quest for meaning leads him to a state of grace, and his soul is saved from eternal damnation. As per the story he reunites with Margaretta in heaven. In the end, Goethe's 'Faust' presents a vision of redemption and the potential for spiritual renewal.
Text and Curation: Soma Ghosh
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special thanks to : Shri Ashish Goyal, IIS, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
Dr. G. Kusum, Curator, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References -
1. salarjungmuseum.in (accessed 29.07.2024)
2. Goethe Faust Part one/tr. by G.M Cookson, London: Broadway Translations, George Routledge and Sons, 1927.
