Artworks Catalogue

Location

Germany, Bavaria, Reisach

Monastery church St Theres and John (Klosterkirche St. Theres und Johannes)

Catholic parish St Michel in Niederaudorf

Artwork

The four single sculptures of the monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach

Type

Sculpture

Inscriptions

1. S:CAJETANUS O.P.N. (cartouche frontside of console)
2. S:ANTONIUS O.P.N. (cartouche on front side of the console)
3. I.N.R.I (Titulus above Christ)

Critical History

The equipment was executed between 1747-1757. Besides 4 sidealtars Straub and the members of his workshop created 3 sculptural groups: St Antonius, St Kajetan, Maria standing under her crucified son and one single sculpture showing Jesus at the column of flagellation .1
The single sculpture is standing in front of the predella of the altar dedicated St Anna. St Antonius and St Cajetan are standing on 2 consoles left and right from the entry under 2 architectural arches forming a "flat chapel." A curtain held by puttos forms for each sculpture a kind of baldachin under which the 2 saints are standing. Some clouds on top of the formation form the the transition to heaven.

Construction / Execution

The sculptures, the consoles and the curtains are made by wood and painted and gilded on a ground layer.

Components

Sculpture

The four single sculptures of the Monastery church St Theres and John

Completed: 1747 – 1757

Technique(s): wood carving

Polychromy

The four single sculptures of the Monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach

Completed: 1747 – 1757

Technique(s): tempera

Comment

Also in the case of the sculptures the context to the architectural painting layer is missing. Today they give an isolated impression.

Conservation-restoration

1868

Treatment Description

The painting layer of the 18th century was prepared/grinded for complete overpainting.

1931

Treatment Description

In 1931 the altars were kept as restored between 1868-73. The walls were painted new in a monochrome colour. The window behind the cruzifx was added in that time. The idea of an illumination just from the small windows above the sidealtars was lost.

1974

Treatment Description

Members of the restorationworkshop of the Bavarian State Office for Monuments and Sites examined the painting layer of the equipment made by J. B. Straub. They found out that the polychromy worked together with an illusionistic painting of the background/panelpainting. Important for this idea must have been the illumation by daylight through the small windows above the sidealtars. The painting layer from 1747-57 was partially damaged and for overpainting in 1868-73 grinded. Because a lot of losses would have to be reconstructed and the overpainting of the 19th century is very hard to remove it was decided to more or less carry out a conservation. The concept for the restoration was the fixing of loose painting layer, the cleaning of the surfaces. Fillings and retouching of damages in the painting layer. The yellowed schellack from 19th century was removed and replaced by a new varnish (probably dammar).

Images

1. The sculpture ofSt Cajetan in the monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
2. The sculpture of St Antonius in the monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
3. The Cruzifix and Mater Dolorosa in the monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
4. The sculpture of Christ at the flagellation column at the sidealtar of St Anna in the monasterychurch St Theres and John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017