Bürgerspital church Holy Spirit (Bürgerspitalskirche Hl Geist)
Gries
Artwork
Two putti on the vestry cabinet of Bürgerspital church in Graz
Type
Sculptural decoration
Critical History
The vestry cabinet in the sacristy of Bürgerspital church shows the sculptures of two putti which are situated on top of it. They are executed in different ways: The left one can be regarded as adoring putto with folded hands and his face turned in the direction of the crucifix standing elevated between them. Its counterpart on the right side appears ecstatic, with one hand led to the throat and one stretched forward. The authorship of Philipp Jakob Straub is possible, but not confirmed.
Construction / Execution
To achieve a floating appearance, the executing artist formed a conical cloudscape on which the putti are seated. They are worked in three dimensions.
Components
Sculpture
Completed: 1734 – 1738
Technique(s): wood carving
Material(s): wood
Polychromy
Completed: 1734 – 1738
Material(s): gold leaf, red bole, silver leaf
Images
The vestry cabinet of Bürgerspital church in Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
Two putti on the vestry cabinet, Bürgerspital church, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
Catalogue entry prepared by Eva Klein, Christina Pichler
Recommended citation: Eva Klein, Christina Pichler, Two putti on the vestry cabinet of Bürgerspital church in Graz, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 27/01/2026) URL
