Location
Germany, Bavaria, Reisach
Monastery church St Theres and John (Klosterkirche St. Theres und Johannes)
Catholic parish St Michael Oberaudorf
Artwork
The sidealtars of the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach
Type
Side altar
Inscriptions
- Ecce! Signum Salutis. Scapularaltar (Cartouche on top)
- Flos Carmelivifis Flori=gera Carmeltis Privi=legia. Scapularaltar (opened book)
- S.ANNA, Annaaltar (cartouche on top)
- S.ALBERTUS, Albertusaltar (cartouche on top)
- OS lustij. Albertusaltar (opened book together with 2 staves)
- S:P:ELIAS Dux Carmelitarum, Eliasaltar (cartouche on top)
- Pater mj! Pater mj! Currus Israel & auriga ejus L: 4 B.C.27:12 Eliasaltar (opened book on the ground)
- Imperavit Febrj. Luv.4.V.39 Albertusaltar (paper in the right hand of angel)
Critical History
The monastery church was erected in 1732 and consecrated in 1747. J. B. Straub executed during 10 years (1747–1757) 4 sidealtars: the Scapularaltar finished in 1747 was painted one year later, the Eliasaltar 1750, Albertusaltar was donated 1754, the Annaltar was donated 1757. The sculptures representing Christ at the cross and the suffering madonna date from 1756, St Sebastian, Christ at the column of flagellation, S. Antonius of Padua and Kajetan were donated in 1751.1 Lippert registers the works of J. B. Straub under number 64f.2
Construction / Execution
The altars are integrated into the flat "chapels" of the architecture which are accompanied by columns on both sides. Above the altars is a small vaulted window. The architecture of the altars is directly attached to the walls. The side altars are consisting of a panel painting decorated by a profiled frame in front of which wooden reliefs and sculptures are placed.
Components
- Carpentry
- The sidealtars of the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach
- Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)
- Completed: 1747 – 1757
- Technique(s): sawing
- Sculpture
- The sidealtars of the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach
- Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)
- Completed: 1747 – 1757
- Technique(s): wood carving
- Polychromy
- The sidealtars of the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach
- Completed: 1747 – 1757
Comment
Nowadays the original idea of Straubs decoration in St Theres and St John cannot be comprehended for several reasons. First of all because all surfaces were overpainted in 1864 and 1934. The actual monochrome painting layer of the walls (executed in 1980 ?) does not repeat the idea of the original colouring whith fine coulored structures supporting the architectonical structure. The architecture of the altars was optically connected by a marbelling in a similar way. Originally the light comes only through windows above the side altars. The window behind the Crucifix was installed in the beginning in 1934.3
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. 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
- The sidealtar dedicated St Anna in the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
- The sidealtar dedicated St Albertus in the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
- The Scapular- or Simon Stock-Altar in the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
- The sidealtar dedicated to St Elias in the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 12.2017
Catalogue entry prepared by Rupert Karbacher
Recommended citation: Rupert Karbacher, The sidealtars of the Monasterychurch St Theres and St John, Reisach, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 26/01/2026) URL
