The Figure of Christ

Rudolf Steiner and the spiritual intention behind the Goetheanum's central work of art

'Yes, that is the Christ. This is how my spiritual eye perceived him in Palestine.' - Rudolf Steiner, speaking of his sculpted figure of Christ

Rudolf Steiner referred to the wooden 'group' sculpture of the figure of Christ surrounded by adversary spiritual beings as the centre of the first Goetheanum. Steiner even told the architect of the second Goetheanum that the sculpture he made with Edith Maryon should occupy the same central position 'as in the first building'.

What was Rudolf Steiner's essential aim for the sculptural group within the Mystery building he conceived, and why did he regard it as the crown of the building? What were Steiner's intentions - and, specifically, what were the spiritual aims behind this remarkable depiction of Christ?

Rudolf Steiner described the core task of anthroposophical spiritual science as preparing for Christ's reappearance in the etheric realm. The Christ he sculpted was not the possession of a specific community with a religious world view, but rather a being active throughout humanity, and thus 'a figure of the future'.

In this focused and powerful short book, Peter Selg engages with these highly-contemporary issues, providing thoughtful insights and answers that point to mysteries of the future involving humanity's further development and the transforming of evil.

PETER SELG was born in Stuttgart in 1963. He studied medicine in Witten-Herdecke, specializing in paediatric and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. He is the Director of the Ita Wegman Institute for Anthroposophical Research in Arlesheim, Switzerland, and Professor of Medical Anthropology at the University of Art and Society in Alfter, near Bonn. He is the author of numerous books on the humanities, anthropology, medicine, education and biographical history. Peter Selg is also involved in extensive teaching and training activities and the management of public archives, holding the post of Research Associate at the College of Humanities in Dornach. 6 April 2009; 80pp; 21.5 x 13.5 cm; paperback; trans by Matthew Barton.