Location
Austria, Styria, Mureck
Karl-Puntigam-Straße
Artwork
The Trinity Column in Mureck
Type
Sculpture
Dimensions
Height: 255 cm, width: 160 cm, depth: 160 cm
Inscriptions
- 1738/renov./1898/1989 (on the pedestal)
Critical History
According to the inscription of the pedestal, the Trinity Column was created in 1738. It shows the sculptural group of Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit in form of a dove. Christ and God are sitting on a cloudscape, their heads inclined to each other in an emotive manner. The eyes of Christ are closed and his left hand is lead to the chest. The flowing coat covers his lap and is fluttering behind his right shoulder. Father God is totally clothed, holding a sphere with his left hand on his lap. The sculptures show the typical “Straub-physiognomy” (high forehead, open and full lips, bulging eyes and asymmetrical, drilled hair styling with curls covering parts of the forehead).1
Above them, there is the dove with spread wings, framed by a golden halo. The pedestal is carved in typical baroque design with curved lines and shows the date of the creation as well as of the restorations.
Construction / Execution
The pedestal and the sculptures are made of carved sandstone with a metal supplement (halo behind dove). It is fixed to the sculpture by means of a metal frame which can be seen from behind.
The sculptural group wasn’t intended to be visible from all sides. The rear side is worked out in a rough way and the metal construction to connect the halo to the sculpture is clearly visible.
Components
- Sculpture
- Author: Philipp Jakob Straub (Wiesensteig 1706 – Graz 1774)
- Completed: 1738
- Technique(s): stone carving
- Material(s): sandstone
Comment
The size of the sculptural group is: H 115 cm, W 66cm, D 51 cm (plinth – head).
Conservation-restoration
- 1989
Treatment Description
According to the inscription on the pedestal, the column was restored in 1898 and 1989. The surface of the sculptures shows lichen growth, the right hand of God the Father is broken off as well as the left one and part of the sphere.
Images
- The Trinity Column of Mureck (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
- Holy Trinity, Trinity Column, Mureck (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
- Holy Trinity, detail, Trinity Column, Mureck (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
- Inscription on the pedestal, detail, Trinity Column, Mureck (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
Catalogue entry prepared by Eva Klein and Christina Pichler
Recommended citation: Eva Klein and Christina Pichler, The Trinity Column in Mureck, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 25/01/2026) URL
