Otto von Bismarck is considered one of the most significant statesmen of the 19th century. Often referred to as the “Iron Chancellor,” he was instrumental in the unification of Germany and the formation of the German Empire.

Yet, his life, marked by political victories, alliances, and power struggles, ended rather quietly with his retirement to his estate in Friedrichsruh near Hamburg.

A particular moment from his final days has become famous in history – the last photograph of him on his deathbed.

Bismarck’s Path to Power

Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck was born on April 1, 1815, in Schönhausen, a small town in what is now Saxony-Anhalt. As the son of a noble landowner, he grew up in a conservative, rural environment. Early on, he showed an interest in politics and law, leading him to study law in Göttingen and Berlin. After his studies, he began a career in the Prussian civil service, but his rise truly began in the 1850s, when he served as an envoy in Paris and St. Petersburg.

A pivotal moment in Bismarck’s career came in 1862 when King Wilhelm I of Prussia appointed him Minister President and Foreign Minister of Prussia. At that time, Germany was a patchwork of individual states that often competed with one another and with the great powers Austria and France. Bismarck saw that only strong Prussian leadership could unite the German people. His strategy was to bring about German unity “with blood and iron” – a phrase that described his uncompromising yet effective politics.

The Unification of Germany

Bismarck’s path to German unification was marked by three decisive wars: the Danish War in 1864, the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, and the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. Each of these conflicts strengthened Prussia’s position and brought the German states closer together. Particularly the victory over France and the subsequent proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in January 1871 marked the peak of his political career. Wilhelm I was crowned German Emperor, and Bismarck was named Chancellor of the Empire.

The new German Empire Bismarck had created was a strong, centralized state under Prussian leadership. His domestic policy included the establishment of a welfare state, opposition to the Catholic Church in the so-called Kulturkampf, and suppression of the Social Democrats through the Anti-Socialist Laws. In foreign policy, he aimed to maintain a balance of power in Europe and secure the Empire through astute alliances. His goal was to preserve peace in Europe and stabilize the empire.

Bismarck’s Downfall

Despite his political successes, Bismarck’s relationship with Emperor Wilhelm II, who took the throne in 1888 after his grandfather’s death, was strained. Wilhelm II wanted a more active and independent foreign policy, while Bismarck adhered to his conservative and defensive strategy. This conflict led to Bismarck’s dismissal as Chancellor in 1890.

After his fall, Bismarck retired to his family estate in Friedrichsruh, where he spent the rest of his life. Though officially out of politics, he remained a prominent public figure. He wrote memoirs and occasionally criticized the policies of Wilhelm II’s empire and European developments.

In his final years, however, Bismarck withdrew increasingly from public life. Frail from age and illness, he lived in seclusion on his estate. On July 30, 1898, Otto von Bismarck died at the age of 83.

The Famous Last Photograph

The photograph of Otto von Bismarck on his deathbed is among the most famous and controversial images of the 19th century. Taken shortly after his death on July 30, 1898, it quickly spread across Europe. It shows the “Iron Chancellor” in a moment of complete calm and seclusion, far from the political battles and intrigues that had long shaped his life.

The story behind this photograph is remarkable. Shortly after Bismarck’s death, Leipzig photographer Max Priester, accompanied by his assistant, entered the deceased’s bedroom to take the picture. This act was against the express wishes of the Bismarck family, who wanted to prevent any public display of the chancellor at this intimate moment. It was a clear breach of social etiquette and privacy, yet the image still made its way into the press.

The photograph shows Bismarck with closed eyes, wrapped in a shroud, his head tilted slightly to the left. The peace of the moment stands in stark contrast to his turbulent political life. Many contemporaries viewed the image as undignified, while others saw it as a final opportunity to bid farewell to one of Europe’s greatest statesmen.

The Controversy Surrounding the Photograph

The publication of the photograph triggered a wave of outrage, especially among the Bismarck family, who sharply condemned the invasion of the deceased’s privacy and the unauthorized dissemination of the image. Legal disputes ensued, and the image was eventually removed from many newspapers. However, the damage was already done. The photograph had already spread widely and generated great public interest. It became a symbolic representation of the end of an era – the last image of a man who had shaped Europe.

From a historical perspective, the photograph of Bismarck on his deathbed is a fascinating document. It not only represents a snapshot of a significant statesman but also exemplifies the growing importance of mass media and photography in the late 19th century. Photography was still a relatively new medium, but it was already beginning to influence the public’s perception of history. Images like this were not only tools for memory but also for controlling and manipulating public opinion.

Bismarck’s Place in History

Otto von Bismarck remains a central figure in German and European history to this day. His political legacy, the founding of the German Empire, and his role as the architect of modern European state systems are undeniable. Yet the famous photograph of him on his deathbed adds a human, almost vulnerable dimension to his image. It shows that even the most powerful statesman is ultimately subject to the laws of mortality.

While Bismarck’s political actions changed the world, the image of him on his deathbed remains a quiet reminder of the end of an extraordinary life. It marks the conclusion of an era and symbolizes the transition to a new century – one marked by the catastrophes of two world wars, whose origins lay in the alliance systems Bismarck had established.

Otto von Bismarck died as he had lived – in a moment of great historical significance. Thus, he remains remembered, through his politics and even through this final photograph, as one of the most influential figures of modern history.