Artworks Catalogue

Location

Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Wiesensteig

Artwork

Crucifix in the Cemetery Chapel of St Leonard in Wiesensteig

Type

Sculpture

Critical History

The cemetery chapel in Wiesensteig dedicated to St. Leonard was probably erected in the 14th century, but was mentioned for the first time only in 1432; some alterations were made in 1592; and the great fire from 1648 must have damaged the chapel because an altar was consecrated in 1658.1 According to the account books of the cemetery church, in 1737 they extended the building and added a little tower; in the same year the shriners Johann Georg Straub the Elder and his brother Johannes Straub were commissioned with a new Baroque interior. In 1738, Johann Georg was paid 272 fl. 52 xr. in total for the pulpit (including polychromy), nine church pews, the choir stalls, the church door (including paint), the crucifix and one of the side altars (with polychromy).2 So Johann Georg Straub can be affirmed as the author of the crucifix, probably he delivered the original polychromy as well. Stylistically the execution is rather simple and close to folk art, but in some details (e.g. aureole, beard and hair) it resembles higher-quality 17^th century sculpture such as the dead Christ of the Pietà in Landsberg am Lech, attributed to Hans Degler, Weilheim, 1625/50. Johann Georg the Elder probably learned to do some simple figural sculptures during his journeyman years as a shriner, in the years before 1697 (the date of his first marriage).

Construction / Execution

The crucifix with a polychrome and partially gilded Corpus Christi is situated above the triumphal arch of the presbytery. Christ is depicted with closed eyes, his wounds are bleeding and he is nailed to the cross with three nails. He wears the crown of thorns on His head, which is designated with a gilded aureole (three rays of light). On the upper end of the upright post a nameplate (titulus) shows the letters "I.N.R.I."

Components

Sculpture

Author: (the Elder) Johann Georg Straub (Wiesensteig 1674 – Wiesensteig 1755)

Completed: 1738 – 1738

Patron(s): Collegiate Chapter of St Cyriacus, Wiesensteig, chapter

Technique(s): wood carving

Material(s): wood

Polychromy

Completed: 1738 – 1738

Patron(s): Collegiate Chapter of St Cyriacus, Wiesensteig, chapter

Conservation-restoration

1969

Treatment Description

From 1968 to June 1969, architect Paul Anschütz (Wiesensteig) and painter Lothar Bohring (Kirchheim) restored the chapel.3

Images

1. Crucifix by Johann Georg Straub the Elder in St Leonhard's, Wiesensteig (photo by Julia Strobl, 2018)