From 1837 to 1846, he lived in Detmold, working on the Hermannsdenkmal, which had been a lifelong dream of Bandel's.
It commemorates a victory over three Roman Legions by the Cheruscian prince, Arminius (Hermann, in German), in 9 AD.

In 1838, Bandel again travelled to Italy, meeting Ludwig I en route, who offered financial support to the Hermannsdenkmal, but requested some changes.
At Carrara, Bandel worked on a statue of Thusnelda, wife of Arminius, eventually sold to the Prince of Lippe.
Another trip to Italy followed in 1843/44.

After a great deal of initial support for the project, public interest began to wane and donations decreased dramatically.
Bandel had to use up his entire personal fortune in an effort to complete the monument.
In 1846, he had a falling out with the Hermannsverein (the civic association promoting the project) over financial issues.
He returned to Hanover, broke and embittered, but began re-soliciting donations.
After the end of the Franco-Prussian War, the government and the public found their enthusiasm for the project restored.
Bandel now made the copper plates for the statue at a Hanover workshop.
In 1869, Wilhelm I (William I) visited him there.
From 1871, Bandel worked at Detmold again and in 1872 moved to the construction site with his wife.
In 1873, the Hanover workshop was closed.
The statue was finally inaugurated on 16 August 1875 by (as he now was) Kaiser William I. After the creation of the German Empire, the Reichstag and the Kaiser had provided the necessary sum for completion.
Bandel took part in the ceremony, and by now had become a celebrity, showered with honors including honorary citizenship of Detmold (1871) and Ansbach (1875).
William I awarded him a lifelong stipend of 4,000 thaler per year.

However, Bandel had been weakened by the years of work on the exposed hilltop and by kidney disease.
He opened a studio in Hanover and in 1876 went on another trip to Italy.
He died on the return trip at his half-brother's estate at Neudegg near Donauwörth on 25 September 1876.
He is buried at the Stadtfriedhof Engesohde at Hanover.
From 1837 to 1846, he lived in Detmold, working on the Hermannsdenkmal, which had been a lifelong dream of Bandel's. It commemorates a victory over three Roman Legions by the Cheruscian prince, Arminius (Hermann, in German), in 9 AD.
In 1838, Bandel again travelled to Italy, meeting Ludwig I en route, who offered financial support to the Hermannsdenkmal, but requested some changes. At Carrara, Bandel worked on a statue of Thusnelda, wife of Arminius, eventually sold to the Prince of Lippe. Another trip to Italy followed in 1843/44.
After a great deal of initial support for the project, public interest began to wane and donations decreased dramatically. Bandel had to use up his entire personal fortune in an effort to complete the monument. In 1846, he had a falling out with the Hermannsverein (the civic association promoting the project) over financial issues. He returned to Hanover, broke and embittered, but began re-soliciting donations. After the end of the Franco-Prussian War, the government and the public found their enthusiasm for the project restored. Bandel now made the copper plates for the statue at a Hanover workshop. In 1869, Wilhelm I (William I) visited him there. From 1871, Bandel worked at Detmold again and in 1872 moved to the construction site with his wife. In 1873, the Hanover workshop was closed. The statue was finally inaugurated on 16 August 1875 by (as he now was) Kaiser William I. After the creation of the German Empire, the Reichstag and the Kaiser had provided the necessary sum for completion. Bandel took part in the ceremony, and by now had become a celebrity, showered with honors including honorary citizenship of Detmold (1871) and Ansbach (1875). William I awarded him a lifelong stipend of 4,000 thaler per year.
However, Bandel had been weakened by the years of work on the exposed hilltop and by kidney disease. He opened a studio in Hanover and in 1876 went on another trip to Italy. He died on the return trip at his half-brother's estate at Neudegg near Donauwörth on 25 September 1876. He is buried at the Stadtfriedhof Engesohde at Hanover.
Ernst von Bandel