This is meant to become a "digital caricature", but so far I haven't even gotten to the point where it would start to become suitable for texturing and adding a digital hair-do. The model itself was mostly done out of my own memory. As a caricaturist I have done countless drawings of the former Chancellor, so it wasn't too hard for me to get his face halfway shaped.
In my opinion Dr. Helmut Kohl is a German monument - probably the most renowned one in the world to date. He held his office for longer than any of his predecessors in German post-WW2 history, managed the reunification of the country after the fall of the Berlin Wall, thereby contributing largely to the ending of the Cold War era, laid ground brick to the modern European Union and the Euro in particular. His achievements scored him countless accolades all over the world, among others the American "Medal of Freedom" and over 30 honorary doctor titles from many of the world's most renowned universities.
After his "reign" of 16 years from 1982-1998, a massive financing scandal of his party CDU overshadowed nearly all of his political heritage. In his country, Kohl is since being treated almost like a felon, even though no unjustified personal enrichment or corruptibility could be evidenced, not even after several investigations. Outside Germany though, elder statesman Kohl is still a welcomed guest and advisor. With his 75th birthday in April 2005, at least some first attempts have been made to rediscover his meaning for the country and restore his reputation, that had ben damaged so much by a scandal, which is clearly being dwarfed by his many achievements for Germany and Europe. Especially compared to Germany's current unfortunate green/socialist government.
To me, he is simply the biggest Chancellor - in any literal sense ;-)
