art treasures - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 1972 - 2.50 Shilling

The third motif of this series about art treasures in Austria shows a very special jewel of the Austrian bronze sculpture art, the Leopoldsbrunnen in Innsbruck. This fountain has a number of special features: It is not only the oldest riding fountain and the oldest freestanding bronze monument in Austria, but also the first fountain in Austria showing a horse standing on its back without support. This monument was commissioned by Archduke Leopold v. Austria, whose enthusiasm for the art went so far that in the middle of the Thirty Years' War he had guns melted for the fountain casting. This work was created by Kasper Gras (1622-1630), in collaboration with the experienced founders Heinrich and Friedrich Reinhart. Originally, the fountain was located in the courtyard garden on the Rennweg, was then even dismantled and stored until it was finally erected in 1894 at its present location.