Walther Preik (geb. 1932), Fox

• Bronze
• 2006
• height: 63 cm

The Old Testament mentions the fox as a pest in the vineyards or in connection with 'false' priests (Song of Solomon 2:15 and Ezekiel 13:14). Myths describe associations between foxes and witches, claiming that humans can change into foxes and steal ham and cold cuts by donning a fox fur belt and swearing allegiance to the devil. The evil witch appears in the guise of a fox in Ernst Moritz Arndt's (1769-1860) fairytale 'Trin Wulfen’.

The bronze sculpture by Walther Preik from Waren, installed outside the castle church in Penzlin, paints the animal in a more favourable light. Here he was inspired by the animal sagas by Johann Christoph Gottsched and by Johann Wolfgang Goethe's 'Reynard'. Preik's pieces belong to a stage in the exhibition entitled 'Transmogrification, witches and animals in folklore and sculpture'.