South-western façade of Hauptplatz 16 (Südwestliche Fassade des Gebäudes Hauptplatz 16)
Innere Stadt
Artwork
The relief of the votive picture of Mariahilf on the south-western façade of Hauptplatz 16, Graz
Type
Sculpture
Critical History
The votive picture of Mariahilf (on the model of Giovanni Pietro de Pomis) shows the sitting Mary with a serious expression on her face. She holds baby Jesus on her lap, her right foot stands on a crescent. She is surrounded by a cartouche of very dynamic leaf and scrollwork. The sculpture is attributable to Philipp Jakob Straub’s early period, which is already characterised by his personal style (accurate composition of body, clothing and physiognomy).1
Construction / Execution
The relief is made of carved sandstone. The eyes of Mary are drilled.
Conservation-restoration
1967
Treatment Description
The relief was restored in 1967.2 It shows a good conservation status, but a gentle surface-cleaning would be necessary.
Images
The relief of the votive picture of Mariahilf, Façade of Hauptplatz 16, Graz (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
Madonna with Child, Detail, Façade of Hauptplatz 16, Graz (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
Catalogue entry prepared by Christina Pichler and Dagmar Probst
Recommended citation: Christina Pichler and Dagmar Probst, The relief of the votive picture of Mariahilf on the south-western façade of Hauptplatz 16, Graz, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 28/10/2025) URL
Sources and Bibliography
Dehio. Die Kunstdenkmäler Österreichs. Graz, Wien, Verlag Anton Schroll & Co, 1979
Horst Schweigert, Philipp Jakob Straub (1706–1774). Ein Grazer Barockbildhauer, in: Studien zur Kunstgeschichte Steiermarks, Horst Schweigert (ed.), Kumberg, Sublilium Schaffer Verlag, 1992, 309–329
