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Baroque sculpture in Udine

The University of Udine hosted a symposium entitled Wooden Baroque Sculpture of the German School in Carnia and Valcanale, on 7 and 8 November 2019.

The symposium was organized by Dr Giuseppina Perusini, Professor of Museology, Art Criticism and Restoration History at the University of Udine. It was largely marked by topics concerning the Straub family, because as many as four participants in the Straub project - Professor Matej Klemenčič, PhD, Valentina Pavlič, MA. Julia Strobl and Ksenija Škarić, PhD – were invited to present the results of their research. In addition, Alessandro Quinzi, curator in the Museum of the Province of Gorizia, presented a sculpture of St John of Nepomuk from the museum holdings recently attributed to Joseph Straub, after which it was researched by restorers and restored in the museum. This continued the collaboration that began in connection with the attribution of the sculpture, which resulted in its inclusion in the catalogue of artworks by the Straub family.

Professor Matej Klemenčič presented his latest research into the processes, business practices and legislation of transferring a sculpture workshop from a master to his successor. Valentina Pavlič continued this topic with a newly-found document important for the succession of Joseph Straub's workshop to Joseph Holzinger, but also for the attribution of artwork created during the transition period. Julia Strobl presented new archival data on Philipp Jacob Straub, as well as the works of a hitherto unknown family member who, in financial terms, was the most successful of them all. Dr Ksenija Škarić presented the results of analysing the Straub family database from the aspect of typology and technology, as well as historical renovation and restoration.

Dr Perusini also organized a visit to an exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum of Friuli specially mounted for the symposium participants. This was another opportunity for professional and scientific exchange, very important in the cultural tripoint area in which the German, Slovenian and Italian threads combined to knit Friulian identity, both through language and through artistic creation.