A fish with distinctly human features – eyes, nose and even a moustache reminiscent of German emperors displayed on a fountain in Schwetzingen.
The fountain was erected in honour of Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden, and his wife, Luise (daughter of the first German emperor Wilhelm I).
The two are seen on either side, the shield of arms of Baden in the middle (a red stripe on a yellow field if it were in colour) and the strange fish underneath.
I’ve tried to find an explanation for this whimsical waterspout and could only find a description stating that the fish head is supposed to show an affinity to the art nouveau style of the time. I find this explanation less than satisfying and there is something distinctly fishy about it, to my mind at least.
Fishy or Friendly Friday: Something Fishy
pictures imperfect blog 
Well, well..”
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That fellow is not like anything I’ve met on our local fish counter …
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Just imagine – not just fishbones but facial hair … yeuch!
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😦
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I wonder what the Grand Duke thought about this?
Seeing this I’m reminded of the story in Peter Pan where he insults Captain Hook by calling him a codfish 😉
In case you’ve forgotten, here’s a movie clip – https://youtu.be/99OCtRYAltU
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Thanks for the reminder. it’s sometime since I’ve seen the animated Disney version. I have no idea what Friedrich I. thought of the fountain (he definitely saw it, might have even been there when it was unveiled). And he was considered quite a liberal amongst the high nobility of his time and was very well liked, as was his wife who founded a number of very forward thinking societies and charities.
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I can see the German emperor in the fish! It is both flattering and unflattering at the same time. Definitely a fishy story, and reminiscent of the Art Nouveau style. It seems to filter through the art world in various ways. Thanks for sharing this with us. Is Baden in Bavaria?
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No – Baden was an independent duchy before German unification in the 19th century. The area today forms part of the state of Baden-Württemberg in the southwest with Stuttgart as our not-very-much-loved capital (can you tell I am from the Baden part?).
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Thanks for the historio geographic lesson. Was Stuttgart more a financial centre?
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Originally Württemberg was a kingdom not a duchy. The state of Baden-Württemberg is an artificial political construct, founded after world war II. Württemberg originally was the economically stronger partner but I don’t know if that still holds true today. Prejudice has it that the Swabians are a miserly people, very intent on their material possessions, particularly their houses and cars which they keep meticulously clean and will make sure that their neighbours conform.
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Oh I think I know some Swabians. By name or nature. Lol.
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Not sure if he’s mournful or grumpy? 🙂 🙂
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Difficult to say with that moustache.
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