Artworks Catalogue

Location

Germany, Bavaria, Altomünster

Former Monastery (now Parish) Church of St Alto and St Bridget (Ehem. Kloster- und heutige Pfarrkirche St. Alto und St. Birgitta)

Parish St Alto and St Birgitta

Artwork

Side Altar of St Alto in the Parish and Former Monastery Church of St Alto and St Bridget in Altomünster

Type

Side altar

Dimensions

Height: 700 cm, width: 383 cm

Critical History

J. M. Fischer began, in 1763, the construction of the church building. After his death (1766) his foreman Balthasar Trischberger continued Fischer's work until 1771. C. Lippert registered under no. 61, in 1772, "six altars with nine large statues, geniuses and further sculptural decoration." 1 Volk presumed that J. B. Straub made the twelve apostle sculptures and the two sculptures of St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena. The church is equipped with nine altars. In total, Straub received 2,120 fl (Volk said 1,400 fl): 20 November 1765, 300 fl (advance payment for the high altar), September 1766, 500 fl (altars in the eastern choir), January 1767, 300 fl (for altars), in October 200 fl, in November 100 fl (altar in the main choir) in October 1768, 100 fl, in January 1769, 260 fl and in November 360 fl (St Alto and St Augustine altars, for each 360 fl). The cooperation with the carpenter Johann Mentele, Rain, and the painter and "Fassmaler" Ignaz Baldauf, Inchenhofen, is documented. The canvas towel paintings on the three main altars can be lowered mechanically to present the skeletons of catacomb saints. The design for the two main altars left and right of the St Salvator altar, dedicated to St Bridget (canvas painting "Christmas vision of St Bridget" by Joseph Mages, 1767) and to St Catherine of Sweden (canvas towel painting „St Bridget honouring St Immaculata", 1767) were conceived by J. B. Straub but J. Mentele executed the work. 2
The following altars were made by J. B. Straub and his workshop:
high altar of St Salvator, painting "St Salvator" by Ignaz Baldauf (1767), two standing sculptures of Sts Peter and Paul
lower high altar (1883 removed), sculptures of St Catherine of Siena and St Dominic, now presented in the Bavarian National Museum (Inv. no. 23/139 and 138)
as well as the further side altars:
The side altar dedicated to St Wendelin is equipped with a painting by J. Mages and two standing sculptures of St Bartholomew and St Thomas by J. B. Straub. The altar forms a pair with the side altar dedicated to Holy Kinship. The author of the painting "Holy Kinship" is again Joseph Mages, 1768. The two standing sculptures, of St Andrew and St Mathew were carved by J. B. Straub and his workshop;
St Augustine altar with a relief sculpture of St Augustine and two standing sculptures, St Philipp and St James the Less;
St Alto altar with a relief sculpture of St Alto and two standing sculptures of St Simon and St Judas Thaddeus.
The sculptures of St John and St James the Greater stand at both ends of the choir.

The two side altars of St Alto and St Augustine are integrated into vaulted niches with an external window. The relief sculptures show St Alto and St Augustine kneeling on clouds. Their attributes are shown in front of them. They are looking up at a large halo with the Sacred Heart (St Alto) and a sculpture of Jesus Christ as a child (Augustine) in the centre. The daylight passes through a circular aperture in the rear wall of the altar. On top of the altar a large angel holds a crown a putto is pointing at the scene in the centre of the altar. On each pillar stands a decorative vase. In front of the predella there is a glass shrine with a decorated skeleton of a saint.

Sources: Documentation of the Archival Documents, M. Hildebrandt, Sabine John, Manfred Feuchtner, Stefan Nadler, 02.1998, Department ZIII, Documentation,Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites (BLfD)

Construction / Execution

The altar is constructed of wood. The sculptures are carved in wood. The sculptures are painted in a monochrome white with gilded details.

Components

Carpentry

Author: Johann Mentele

Completed: 1765 – 1769

Sculpture

Author: (?) Johann Baptist Straub

Completed: 1765 – 1769

Polychromy

Author: Fortunat Strasser

Completed: 1765 – 1770

Comment

In the monastery chronicle, in a document from 1770, Fr. Fortunat Strasser is mentioned for his careful and diligent work on the polychromy of the altars.

Conservation-restoration

1873

Treatment Description

Renovation by Ludwig Hack, Dorfen.

1883

Treatment Description

The lower high altar was removed, the sculptures of St Catherine of Siena and St Dominic are now presented in the Bavarian National Museum (Inv. no. 23/139 and 138). See order 3136.

1907

Treatment Description

Renovation by Ludwig Ametsberger.

1928

Treatment Description

Restoration by Mayerhofer&Ostenrieder: removing 19^th century overpainting, removing the white 18th century polychromy of the sculptures and also of the two relief sculptures of St Alto and St Augustine. Reconstruction of the 18th century polychromy.

2000

Treatment Description

Consolidation of wood and polychromy. Uncovering the 18^th century polychromy, reintegration of lacunae, retouching, partially reconstruction of the 18^th century polychromy.

Images

1. The side altar of St Alto in the Parish-and former Monastery Church of St Alto and St Bridget, Altomünster (Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites, photo by Michel Forstner, 2017)