The golden Caroline Mathilde sculptures by renowned artist Ottmar Hörl have become a massive success in Celle, Germany, drawing thousands of visitors and achieving record sales numbers. The 850 gleaming golden figures, installed in front of Celle's residential castle to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the former Danish queen's death, officially opened to the public on August 14th and have captivated audiences ever since.
The installation will be dismantled on Saturday, September 13th, marking the end of what Mayor Jörg Nigge described as "fascinating four weeks." Nigge reflected on the project's overwhelming success, noting how it drew thousands of people and demonstrated how an artist's concept can work by bringing art out of museums and into public spaces, making it accessible and experiential for everyone.
Sales of the sculptures have exceeded all expectations, with approximately 600 figures already sold according to city spokesperson Myriam Meißner. The figures that weren't used in the main installation sold out within a very short time, prompting the city to begin selling the installed pieces starting from the opening weekend. The record stands at 98 sculptures sold in a single day, demonstrating the unprecedented demand for these collectible pieces.
Collectors and art enthusiasts can pick up their purchased sculptures starting Tuesday, September 16th, at the Bomann Museum's front desk, or attend a special signing session with artist Ottmar Hörl on Saturday, September 13th, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the Knight's Hall of Celle Castle. During this signing event, those who have pre-ordered figures can have them personally signed by the artist, while others can still purchase sculptures at the museum shop and have them signed afterward if desired.
Despite having sufficient figures still available, museum officials recommend that interested buyers not wait too long, especially given the expected surge in demand for the signing session. Each sculpture is priced at 95 euros, or 190 euros with the artist's signature, and sales will continue while supplies last.
For out-of-town buyers, shipping options will be available after the project concludes. Inquiries can be directed to CM-Verkauf@Celle.de. All proceeds from the sculpture sales benefit the Friends of Celle Museums association, which helped finance the art installation in advance. The project has proven that bringing contemporary art into public spaces can create remarkable community engagement and lasting cultural impact.
