Dome

Detail, looking up under the belly of the horse; Schinkel's original plans called for the installation of two large statues of mounted knights, which would flank the entrance to the museum. In 1842, the statue "Kämpfende Amazone" ("Fighting Amazonian Woman") by August Kiss was placed on the right side of the main staircase. The pendant statue on the opposite side, "Löwenkämpfer" ("Lion-fighter"), was not added until 1861. Mounted Amazon Fighting a Panther was the first major work to make Kiss famous outside his own country. The energy and drama of this group, contrasting strongly with the Classical ideals that had been prevalent, excited the public. Kiss was regarded as the best horse sculptor in Berlin; he also assisted Friedrich Tieck with the work for his monumental Horse Tamers for the roof of the Altes Museum. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 6/13/2012)