Wall relief

History of the work

Above the central projection of the Kornhaus's east front rises a huge triangular gable filled with a sandstone relief. According to the art guide of the Society for the History of Swiss Art, it is an allegory of the power and prosperity of the Republic of Bern; according to the description of a photo on Wikimedia Commons, Bern's state coat of arms sits in the middle. The west gable, by contrast, holds a round window resting on cornucopias.

The two gable reliefs were carved by the sculptors Johann Jakob and Michael Langhans after designs by Johann Rudolf Huber. The city gives 1718 for the relief, the Commons image category 1716. What you see today is a copy: during the exterior restoration of 1975–1980, which returned the facades and roof to their 1718 state, Urs Bridevaux reproduced both reliefs.

The Kornhaus (granary) served the republic's grain office for provision and for regulating grain prices; the art guide calls it the largest municipal storehouse in Switzerland. For the construction the sources give 1711–1715 (Wikipedia) or 1711–1718 (art guide, building inventory); the architect named is Hans Jakob III Dünz, together with his brother Abraham according to Wikipedia. After 1798 its use changed several times: a model collection, from 1896 a museum of trades, and in the cellar a restaurant with frescoes by Rudolf Münger. Since the renovation of 1997–1999 it has had a city hall for events, and today also a library.

Johann Rudolf Huber (1668–1748) came from Basel and was above all a portrait painter. According to Wikipedia, from autumn 1702 he worked mostly in Bern, where many patrician clients employed him, and he was also a politician in his home town: in 1740 he was elected to the Small Council of Basel, where he also died.

From Kornhausplatz the relief is best seen from some distance, as the gable sits above three main storeys.

Researched and summarised by Bärn Kit. Sources: Kultur Stadt Bern, Kunst im öffentlichen Raum (offene Daten) · GSK-Kunstführer im KGS-Inventar: Kornhaus Bern (KGS 632) · Bauinventar Stadt Bern: Kornhausplatz 18 · Wikipedia (de): Kornhaus (Bern) · Wikipedia (de): Johann Rudolf Huber · Wikimedia Commons: Switzerland-03127 – Coat of Arms (Tympanon Kornhaus)