Location
Germany, Bavaria, Dießen
Former Monastarychurch Mariae Assumption (Ehem. Kloster- und heutige Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt)
Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary
Artwork
The side altar of St Stephan in the Parish (former Monastery) Church of the Assumption of Mary, Dießen
Type
Side altar
Critical History
The monastery church of the Assumption of Mary (Augustiner Chorherren) was built by Johann Michael Fischer from 1732 to 1739.1 It is equipped with 11 altars: a huge main altar, 8 side altars and 2 altars in the entrance hall executed by different artists (Ehrgott Bendl, Joachim Dietrich, Egid Verhelst, Franz X. Schmädl). The tables of the sidealtars are all made in the same form and material (stone/marble). Only the upper structure has an more or less individual character. Always two parallel altars are created by the same artist. In Dießen we don´t have sketches of of the altar or pulpit (existed but is lost) of J. B. Straub. The construction was built by a joiner, the sculptures were carved by J. B. Straub or by his staff. In the list of the most important works by J. B. Straub that J. C. Lippert edited in 1772 Dießen has the number 53. 2 The prize for 2 sidealtars each for 1277 fl and 1 pulpit for 9000 fl is documented. 3. Straub also was responsible for the realisation of 2 tabernacles on the 2 sidealtars of Ehrgott Bernhard Bendl (1660-31.01.1738), the balustrade of the organ choir and the decoration for the organ. Straub worked for this church at least from 1738–1740.
The northern sidealtar is dedicated to Saint Stephan. The central towelpainting of G. B. Pittoni (1687–1767) is dated 1739 it shows the stoning of St Stephan. 2 sculptures St Philippus (left) and St Bartholomäus (right) are standing to both sides. The upper construction consists of a profiled decoration-frame to which belong a curtain an angel on the top and 3 puttos. In front of the predella separated from the architecture is standing a second towelpainting with an vertical oval form it shows St Antonius from Padua.
Construction / Execution
The upper construction, the frame for the painting with its decoration and the sculptures are made by wood. The surface imitates gold or stone which is executed by metall-leaf or a monochrome paintinglayer with partial gildings. The paintings are made on towel.
Components
- Carpentry
- The side altar of St Stephan in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)
- Completed: 1738 – 1740
- Technique(s): distemper, sawing, water gilding, wood carving
- Sculpture
- The side altar of St Stephan in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)
- Completed: 1738 – 1740
- Technique(s): polished white, water gilding, wood carving
- Painting
- The side altar of St Stephan in the Parish (former Monastery) church Assumption of Mary, Dießen
- Author: Giovanni Battista Pittoni (Venice 1687 – Venice 1767)
- Completed: 1739 –
- Technique(s): oil on canvas
Comment
Since 1803 the monastery with the church belongs to the Bavarian state. The inside of the church was never completely repainted or restored. But there were several smaller works during 19th and 20th century. The marbeling of the altararchitecture seems to have its historical varnish but a partial restoration with schellack in 1936 is mentioned its reference is unknown.4
The altar of St Stephan and the pulpit will be examinated from October to November 2018.
Conservation-restoration
- 1930
Strategy: removing dirt
Treatment Description
Cleaning and removing dirt in the complete church, by firm Wirsching, Dießen. May be the monochrome white painting layer of the sculptures was slightly overpainted.
- 1936
Treatment Description
Restoration of several side altars and pulpit by K. Eixenberger, Munich. One reference mentions a partial overpainting of the lead white painting layer of the sculptures and a partial overpainting of the varnish on the marbling may be with schellack.
- 1955
Strategy: removing dirt
Treatment Description
Cleaning and removing dirt inside, partly overpainting of the monochrome white painting layer of the sculptures.
- 1979
Treatment Description
Great restoration of the complete building and its equipment under supervision of the spezialized authorities. The equipment was treated under conservative aspects.
- 2010
Treatment Description
The complete wooden equipment was treated with nitrogen against wooden pest.
Images
- The Stephansaltar in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 0582017
- The Stephansaltar and the pulpit in the parishchurch Assumption of Mary, Dießen photo Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites Michael Forstner 0582017
Catalogue entry prepared by Rupert Karbacher
Recommended citation: Rupert Karbacher, The side altar of St Stephan in the Parish (former Monastery) Church of the Assumption of Mary, Dießen , in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 21/10/2025) URL
