Location
Austria, Styria, Graz
Chapel at Sternäckerweg (Kapelle am Sternäckerweg)
St Peter
Artwork
The sculptures of St John of Nepomuk and St Florian in a chapel at Sternäckerweg in Graz
Type
Sculptural group
Critical History
The sculptures of St John of Nepomuk and St Florian were created by Philipp Jakob Straub and function as auxiliary sculptures which are flanking a crucifix, which is almost twice as large. Therefore, they count to the artist’s carved smaller-than-life-size works. The posture of Nepomuk with classical contrapost and the biretta in the right hand, while the left is outstretched is very similar to that of Nepomuk at the Cathedral of Graz (1738). So it is assumable that these both sculptures were created in the period between 1735 and 1740 as well. Also the face is comparable in both cases: big and bulging eyes, curved brows and full lips are almost identically. St Florian seems to be frozen in movement: the left free leg is angled in an unnatural way, the left arm is outstretched to pour a water over a burning miniature house (the bucket is missing). The flag in his other hand doesn’t show the characteristic opulent drapery that is typical for Straub’s oeuvre.
Construction / Execution
The sculptures are made of carved wood. At the back side, they are hollowed out deeply. The measurements are: St John of Nepomuk H 100 cm, W 59 cm, D 26 cm, St Florian H 110 cm, W 62 cm, D 39 cm
Components
- Sculpture
- Author: Philipp Jakob Straub (Wiesensteig 1706 – Graz 1774)
- Completed: 1735 – 1740
- Technique(s): wood carving
- Material(s): wood
- Polychromy
Comment
The sculptures are situated in the so-called “Stadtpfarrer Franz Xaver Manninger Gedenkkapelle 1933 – 1996” (according to the inscription on the stone plaque beneath the sculptural group).
Due to improper re-colouring, the general impression is distorted (especially the face appears like made-up). The colouring shows several defects (cracks, splintered parts), which were partially amateurishly concealed. A professional restoration would be necessary!
Images
- The statue of St John of Nepomuk in a chapel at Sternäckerweg, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St John of Nepomuk, detail, Sternäckerweg, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- Back side of St John of Nepomuk, Sternäckerweg Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- The statue of St Florian, Sternäckerweg Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St Florian, detail, Sternäckerweg Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- Back side of St Florian, detail, Sternäckerweg Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
Catalogue entry prepared by Eva Klein and Christina Pichler
Recommended citation: Eva Klein and Christina Pichler, The sculptures of St John of Nepomuk and St Florian in a chapel at Sternäckerweg in Graz, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 27/01/2026) URL
