Location
Germany, Bavaria, Dießen
Former Monastarychurch Mariae Assumption (Ehem. Kloster- und heutige Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt)
Catholic parish Assumption of Mary, Dießen
Artwork
The pulpit in the parish (former monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
Type
Pulpit
Inscriptions
- ego praedi cator & apos tolus 1 Tim. 2
Critical History
The monastery church of the Assumption of Mary (Augustiner Chorherren) was built by Johann Michael Fischer from 1732 to 1739.1 It is equipped with 11 altars: a huge main altar, 8 side altars and 2 altars in the entrance hall executed by different artists (Ehrgott Bendl, Joachim Dietrich, Egid Verhelst, Franz X. Schmädl). The tables of the sidealtars are all made in the same form and material (stone/marble). Only the upper structure has an more or less individual character. Always two parallel altars are created by the same artist. In Dießen we don´t have sketches of of the altar or pulpit (existed but is lost) of J. B. Straub. The construction was built by a joiner, the sculptures were carved by J. B. Straub or by his staff. In the list of the most important works by J. B. Straub that J. C. Lippert edited in 1772 Dießen has the number 53. 2 The prize for 2 sidealtars each for 1277 fl and 1 pulpit for 9000 fl is documented. 3 Straub also was responsible for the realisation of 2 tabernacles on the 2 sidealtars of Ehrgott Bernhard Bendl (1660-31.01.1738), the balustrade of the organ choir and the decoration for the organ. Straub worked for this church at least from 1738–1740.
The pulpit is installed at the frontside of the pilaster next to Stephansaltar. The staircase is added from the eastern side. Its form nestles to the architecture. The decoration of the pulpit treats the life of Paulus and Saulus. 2 reliefs on the basket are presenting the conversion of Saulus and the sermon of Paulus. 2 puttos are hinting at the reliefs. The sounding board is supported by 2 atlants. The dove representing the holy ghost is added in the middle of a nimbus underneath the sounding board. On its top the sculpture of Paulus is standing on a cloud in front of a large nimbus with the eye of god in its center. An angel is supporting Paulus. Nearby a putto holds an opened book.
Construction / Execution
The pulpit and its decoration is made of wood. Gilded and monochrome surfaces are combinded to present an imitation of stone and metal/gold.
Components
- Carpentry
- The pulpit of in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Completed: 1738 – 1740
- Technique(s): sawing, wood carving
- Sculpture
- The pulpit of in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)
- Completed: 1738 – 1740
- Technique(s): polished white, water gilding, wood carving
- Polychromy
- The pulpit of in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Completed: 1738 – 1740
- Technique(s): polished white, water gilding
- Material(s): gold leaf, lead white
Comment
Since 1803 the monastery with the church belongs to the Bavarian state. The inside of the church was never completely repainted or restored. But there were several smaller works during 19th and 20th century. The marbeling of the altararchitecture seems to have its historical varnish one text mentions the restoration with schellack in 1936 its reference is unknown.4 The Stephansaltar and the pulpit will be examinated from October to November 2018.
Conservation-restoration
- 1930
Strategy: removing dirt
Treatment Description
Cleaning and removing dirt in the complete church by firm Wirsching Dießen. May be the dirty parts of the monochrome white painting layer was overpainted.
- 1936
Treatment Description
Restoration of several side altars and pulpit by K. Eixenberger, Munich. One text mentions a partial overpainting of the lead white painting layer of the sculptures and a partial overpainting of the varnish on the marbling with schellack its reference is unknown.
- 1955
Strategy: removing dirt
Treatment Description
Cleaning and removing dirt inside partly overpainting of the monochrome white painting layers.
- 1979
Treatment Description
Great restoration of the complete building and its equipment under supervision of the spezialised authorities. The equipment was treated under conservative aspects.#8#
- 2010
Treatment Description
The complete wooden equipment was treated with nitrogen against wooden pest.
Images
- The pulpit in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 08.2017
- The pulpit in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 08.2017
- The pulpit in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 08.2017
- The pulpit in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 08.2017
Catalogue entry prepared by Rupert Karbacher
Recommended citation: Rupert Karbacher, The pulpit in the parish (former monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen , in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 22/10/2025) URL
