The Kultur Panel

Venturing into unknown parts of town we passed this unusual panel and, of course, it had to be blipped. Back home, and with the benefit of a larger image, I found it rather distressing. But, according to information available from Canmore and Edinphoto sites, this is the precise reaction that was intended.

To quote Canmore: Known as the Kultur Panel, an unusual panel of figures attacking a group of mostly women and children. The inscription above reads, 'The Valour of German Culture 1914'. The attackers are said to be German soldiers and the figures represent Belgian civilians. The panel was erected in 1915 to represent apparent German atrocities during the First World War.


The panel was designed in terracotta, now painted, by a William Baxter who according to a news report from the Leith Observer of 3rd July 1915, Mr Baxter had 'executed copies of the panel for England and Ireland'.
RCAHMS (CAJS) 2012.

The panel is showing signs of deterioration, with a crack down the centre; to my mind it should be in the museum. It appears on Google Streetview on the map position.

Extra, another drive-by photo, of a view I also found distressing. Is this a sheep or a dog? And, if the latter, why does it appear so neglected? One of my photos seem to indicate sore patches on the inside of the rear leg (I see the fur may have been trimmed), and I wonder if those paws are correctly aligned with the ground. Would it not be more comfortable if it could at least see where it is going? Not my problem but I hope it's a happy beast.