Hamburg, August 6, 2026 – The ‘Mourning Child’ bronze sculpture, stolen a year ago from its prominent location in front of St. Johannis Church in Hamburg-Harburg, has been recovered and is now undergoing extensive restoration. The poignant artwork, which reappeared in two pieces last winter, was presented today at Harburg City Hall, marking a significant step towards its return to public display.
Sculpture Found Severed and Damaged
The sight of the ‘Mourning Child’ is inherently sorrowful, but its current state evokes even greater sadness. The sculpture was found severed into two parts, apparently cut by the thieves, and sustained considerable damage during its removal. “The figure was separated and bent,” stated Mike Rabe from the Edel und Stahl foundry, who is tasked with reassembling the head and torso of the ‘Mourning Child’. He elaborated on the complexity of the task: “The effort is quite considerable: all the metal walls have to be straightened, balanced, and everything welded, ground, and patinated again.” Additionally, the kneeling figure’s hands are partially cut off, and a hole is visible on its left foot, likely from pliers.
‘Mourning Child’ – A Counter-Monument to ‘The Soldier’
The ‘Mourning Child’ sculpture, approximately 90 centimeters high and weighing about 100 kilograms, was created by Harburg artist Hendrik-André Schulz. It was inaugurated in 1988 next to a four-meter-high warrior statue from 1932, known as ‘The Soldier’. While ‘The Soldier’ marches upright with a rifle slung over his shoulder, heading into battle despite a head wound, the ‘Mourning Child’ kneels beside it, deeply bowed and weeping amidst shattered soldier helmets. This juxtaposition serves as a powerful counter-monument, reflecting on the human cost of war.
Recovery from a Scrap Yard
The sculpture was stolen in the summer of 2025, and for months, no trace of it could be found. The breakthrough came when an employee of a scrap dealer in Veddel contacted the police. “Based on the pictures he sent us, we were able to confirm that it was the ‘Mourning Child’,” said investigator Helena Kamp from the State Criminal Police Office.
Christian Carstensen (SPD), head of the district office, expressed immense relief that the figure has been recovered and can be repaired. “As the district office, we will cover the costs of around 5,500 euros. We will bear this because it is an important monument for Harburg.”
Improved Anchoring Planned for ‘Mourning Child’
The sculpture is intended to return to its original location as soon as possible, but with enhanced security measures. “We are considering how to better anchor the artwork to make it more difficult for potential imitators,” Carstensen stated. However, he also acknowledged the reality that “art in public spaces can never be completely secured.”
A Place of Mourning Missed by the Community
The absence of the stolen sculpture has been particularly felt by the community, especially between Volkstrauertag (National Day of Mourning) and Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead), when it serves as a significant place of remembrance and reflection.
The restoration work by Mike Rabe and his team is expected to take several weeks, after which the ‘Mourning Child’ will once again stand as a powerful symbol of remembrance in Hamburg-Harburg, hopefully more securely than before.
Source: NDR.de
