Artworks Catalogue

Location

Austria, Styria, Wundschuh

Castle Neuschloss (Schloss Neuschloss)

south-east of Wundschuh

Artwork

Sculptural Decoration on the Three Park Gates of Castle Neuschloss near Wundschuh

Type

Sculptural group

Critical History

Castle Neuschloss was a one-winged baroque manor of the 18th century, which was raised by a third floor at the beginning of the 19th century.1 It belonged to the property of the Earls of Dietrichstein between 1642 and 1780.2 In that time, the sculptural decoration of the three park gates was created. On two of them (east and west one), there are lush decorated stone vases flanking the entrance (respectively a bigger and a smaller one). They are characterised by a plastic and inventive decoration which conforms to the moved surface of Straub’s sculptures. The artist’ signature can also be seen in the subtle detail design, e.g. of the textiles or cords.

The southern gate shows two putti on volutes instead of the smaller vases. Furthermore, there are two pilasters of elaborate design next to the wrought-iron gate. Presumably this was the main entrance to the castle.

Construction / Execution

The vases and putti are made of carved sandstone.

Components

Sculpture

Author: Philipp Jakob Straub (Wiesensteig 1706 – Graz 1774)

Completed: 1760 – 1765

Technique(s): stone carving

Material(s): sandstone

Images

1. The western park gate of Castle Neuschloss (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
2. Stone vase, detail, eastern gate (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
3. Stone vase, detail, eastern gate (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
4. Putto (left), detail, southern park gate, Castle Neuschloss (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
5. Putto (right), detail, southern park gate, Castle Neuschloss (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)
6. Stone vase, detail, southern gate (photo by Christina Pichler, 2018)