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)

Artwork

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

Type

Side altar

Dimensions

Height: 675 cm, width: 273 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 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 towel painting "Christmas vision of St Bridget" by Joseph Mages, 1767) and to St Catherine of Sweden (canvas 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.

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 construction and the sculptural decoration of the two side altars are made in wood, the surface is painted, marbling (architecture), gilding (ornaments and attributes) and white layer (sculptures).

Components

Carpentry

Author: Johann Mentele

Completed: 1765 – 1769

Technique(s): sawing, wood carving

Material(s): wood

Sculpture

Completed: 1765 – 1769

Technique(s): wood carving

Material(s): wood

Polychromy

Author: Fortunat Strasser

Completed: 1765 – 1769

Comment

The form of the side altars architecture seems to be not of the highest quality. The applied gilded ornaments show a quality which is close to J. B. Straub's work. The ornament with an angel wing on both upper sides of the altars seems to be a peculiar idea of J. B. Straub's.

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

Removing the overpainting from the 19^th century and the monochrome white layer from the 18^th century. On the relief-sculptures of St Alto and St Augustine the 18^th century polychromy was removed partially. Reconstruction of the 18^th century polychromy.

2000

Treatment Description

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

Images

1. The side altar of St Catherine in the choir of the former monastery church St Alto and St Bridget, Altomünster (Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites, photo by Michel Forstner, 2017)