SALZBURG – In a surprising turn of events, over 200 golden statuettes of the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have vanished from his hometown of Salzburg. This incident occurred on the very day of what would have been Mozart’s 270th birthday, leaving a notable gap in the tribute to one of classical music’s greatest figures.
The Mozarteum Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving Mozart’s legacy, unveiled a collection of 320 statuettes on July 15. Each figure, designed by the German artist Ottmar Hörl, stands less than 20 inches tall and depicts Mozart alongside his beloved dog, Pimperl.
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Just two weeks after the exhibition opened, more than 80 statuettes had gone missing. By Wednesday, that number had risen to 210. Hörl expressed his concern to the German news agency dpa, stating that he suspected this was not just a case of visitors taking the pieces but rather an organized theft.
Initially, Hörl planned to sell the statuettes for around 100 euros ($114) each after the exhibition concluded, implying that the thieves might not have gained much from their actions.
These mini-Mozarts were displayed not only in the garden of Mozart’s former residence but also within his living quarters and various pavilions throughout Salzburg. Although organizers had some spare statuettes set aside for potential theft, they were not enough to cover the significant loss.
To add to the misfortune, the manufacturer of these statuettes was on vacation, leaving the foundation without a quick solution to replace the missing figures. The exhibition is planned to run until August 30, albeit with fewer statuettes on display.
Hörl, who is known for his polymer sculptures, has faced similar issues in the past. He noted that at a previous installation in Bayreuth, Germany, an entire collection of Richard Wagner statues was stolen within just ten days. “That’s just the nature of public space,” he remarked, acknowledging the risks artists face when exhibiting their work outdoors.
Mozart, who was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, remains a central figure in classical music. The Mozarteum Foundation not only promotes his music through concerts but also maintains museums and supports research related to his life and works.
Hörl aimed to capture Mozart’s humanity in his sculptures, stating, “I didn’t want to do a monument of Mozart. There are already enough of these. But I wanted to show his human side, that he was a normal human being despite his genius.” The inclusion of Pimperl, his dog, was meant to reflect the personal life of the composer, who was known to enjoy long walks in the Mirabell Garden with his family and pets.
