Beethoven Frieze: left wall (part 2)

The first group of figures that the floating figures meet are an upright nude woman and a similarly nude kneeling couple. According to the exhibition catalogue, these three figures symbolize “Die Leiden der schwachen Menschheit” (The Suffering of Weak Mankind). This group turns pleadingly towards a knight, the “Wohlger�steten Starken” (Knight in Shining Armour), who stands before them. He is shown wearing medieval armour and carrying a mighty sword.

Behind the golden knight appear two allegorical female characters, who are referred to in the catalogue as “Ehrgeiz” (Ambition)” and “Mitleid” (Compassion). They are meant to act as “inner driving forces” to motivate the knight to “take up the struggle for happiness” in the name of humanity.

The knight’s challenging gaze focuses on the subsequent scene, which stretches across the entire centre wall where the “hostile forces” are gathered.