Artworks Catalogue

Location

Germany, Bavaria, Munich

Catholic Parish Church of St Michael (Kath. Pfarrkirche St. Michael )

Kath. Pfarrgemeinde St Michael Berg am Laim

Artwork

High Altar of St Michael in the Catholic Parish Church of St Michael in Munich, Berg am Laim

Type

High altar

Dimensions

Height: 1600 cm, width: 831 cm

Inscriptions

1. Ecce ancilla Domini (on book held by an angel)

Critical History

n 1693, Joseph Clemens (1671–1723), Duke of Bavaria and Archbishop of Cologne, founded the brotherhood of St Michael the Archangel and a noble knightly order . In 1725, it was raised to an archbrotherhood by Pope Benedict XIII, on the initiative of Maximilian II Emanuel (1662–1726), Elector of Bavaria, and cared for until its secularization by the Franciscans. The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1738 by Clemens August (1700–1761), Duke of Bavaria, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. The construction was mainly pushed forward by the secretary of the brotherhood, Franz de Paula Würnzl. The church was consecrated on 19 September 1751

The church was constructed according to the plans of Johann Michael Fischer, 1738–1742. The completion of the façade lasted until 1750. Between 1743 and 1771 the church was equipped.1 It has been the parish church since 1806. The sanctuary was badly damaged in 1945, restored in 1946. In 1742, there was a first contact with Straub, who in 1743 delivered the figure of St Michael for the large facade niche (destroyed in 1945).

All the altars and sculptures are from the workshop of J.B. Straub. On 26 January 1751, Johann Michael Feichtmayr delivered a design for a high altar made of stucco marble (1600 fl.). At this time there was already a sketch, no longer existing, by Straub for a wooden altar, which was 200 - 300 fl. cheaper. In about 1760, Straub’s sketch was perhaps made in competition with Ignaz Günther, who made an altar design in 1760.2 The altar was made following another drawing by Straub from about 1766. In 1767, the high altar was erected. Straub got 1700 fl. In the same year F.J. Oefele enlarged the altarpiece by J.A. Wolff from 1694, for 350 fl. On 4 January 1769, three estimates by court painter M. Singer (2000 fl.), gilder J.G. Stocker (2500 fl.) and painter J.A. Wunderer (1984 fl. with scaffolding) for the decoration of the high altar were discussed. In 1769 – 1771, the altar was finished. In 1768, Straub also delivered the two individual figures of Christ and Mary in the sanctuary (100 fl.)

- Sketch for the high altar, about 1760, feather in black, watercoloured in grey, 60.5 : 35.1 cm, bottom right signed: "J: Babtist Straub / Churfrtl. Hofbildhauer in Cöllen / Minchen", Munich, Graphische Sammlung, 30492, H-M V 833. Volk 1984, fig. 167.

- Sketch for the high altar, c. 1766, pen, grey watercolour, pencil, squared, 57.1: 34.6 cm, lower left the seal of the Michael Brotherhood Josephsburg in Berg am Laim, Frankfurt am Main, Städelsche Kunstinstitut, Z 15295. Peter Volk 1984, fig. 44.

- Bozetto for the figure of God the Father on the globe in the extract, around 1766, terracotta, Berlin, Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Skulpturengalerie, n. 70684. Volk 1984, fig. 169.

- Bozetti for two putti with book and fish between the altar columns, around 1766, terracotta, copper-colored, h. 10 cm and 11,5 cm, München Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Ker 4119 and 4120 5. Volk 1984, fig. 173, 174.

The altarpiece “St Michael fighting the Dragon” is flanked by twin columns and the statues of the Archangels Gabriel (left) and Raphael (right), as well as two cherubs. Near Gabriel, representing Maria, is a putto with a book and the inscription "Ecce ancilla Domini", below a bas-relief showing Abraham sacrificing Isaac; near Raphael is a putto with a fish (for Tobias), in the bas-relief is Jacob wrestling with the angel. At the altar table is a relief showing the three women at the Tomb of Christ. Around the tabernacle there is a sculptural group showing Christ and the Disciples in Emmaus. The tabernacle is crowned by the sacrificial lamb on the book with seven seals. In the extension is God the Father on the globe in a gloriole, accompanied by numerous putti and angels.

Construction / Execution

Wood, coloured with naturalistic incarnation, the altar architecture marbled. The clothes partly gilded, gilded tabernacle and gloriole

Components

Concept/design

Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)

Completed: ca. 1766

Carpentry

Completed: ca. 1766

Sculpture

Author: Johann Baptist Straub (Wiesensteig ca. 1704 – Munich 1784)

Completed: ca. 1766 – ca. 1766

Polychromy

Completed: ca. 1769 – ca. 1771

Metalwork

Completed: ca. 1769 – ca. 1771

Comment

The equipment of St Michael's church is one of Straub's most extensive works. After Dießen and Fürstenzell it was the third working collaboration of Johann Michael Fischer and Johann Baptist Straub, who also had private contact. We do not know anything about the restorations in the 18^th and 19^th century.

Conservation-restoration

1935–1936

Treatment Description

The tabernacle was completely regilded.6

1945–1946

Treatment Description

Renovation by the church painting company Pfefferle and the carpenter Krechting: Consolidation of ornamental parts, exposure and repair of the former marbling and painting, partly new gilding and new painting of the new altarparts (base and two columns)

1980–1982

Treatment Description

Partial exposure and new painting of the interior by the church painting company Hans Mayerhofer: partial exposure of marbling to the first setting and improvement of the gilding, total cleaning.

2005–2009

Treatment Description

Complete restoration of the interior and equipment. Restoration of the high altar, spring 2008 – september 2009 by company Erwin Wiegerling8:

Revision of the additions to the marbling from 1945–1946 (columns), ornaments and sculptures such as the side altars, repair work on the tabernacle

Images

1. The high altar of St Michael in Munich, Berg am Laim (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
2. In interior of the Catholic Parish Church, former court-, knightsorder- and archbrotherhood church of St Michael in Munich, Berg am Laim (photo: BLfD M. Forstner, 2017)
3. Tabernacle of the high altar of St Michael (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
4. The high altar of St Michael, detail (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
5. The high altar of St Michael, detail (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
6. The high altar of St Michael, detail (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
7. The high altar of St Michael, detail (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
8. Christ in the sanctuary (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
9. Mary in the sanctuary (photo by: M. Mannewitz, 2018)
10. Relief at the high altar (photo by M. Mannewitz, 2018)
11. Relief at the high altar (photo: by M. Mannewitz, 2018)