Artworks Catalogue

Location

Austria, Styria, Semriach

Parish Church St Aegydius (Pfarrkirche Hl Ägydius)

Artwork

The altar of St. John in the southern side nave of the parish church of Semriach

Type

Side altar

Critical History

The altar of St. John was built between 1735 and 1740 and donated by abbot Placidus Mally and Johann Joseph Graf Wurmbrand, whose coats of arms can be found above the high altarpiece.1 According to Horst Schweigert, the figure type, the clothing style and especially the face of the two sculptures St Donate and St Leonhard indicate the artistic signature of Philipp Jakob Straub. They show the typical “Straub-physiognomy” (high forehead, open and full lips, bulging eyes and asymmetrical, drilled hair styling with curls covering parts of the forehead). They are comparable to St Aloysius, Bürgerspitalskirche Graz (1734–1738), St Barbara, St. Ruprecht/Raab ( 1735–1740) and St Anthony, façade Mariahilferkirche Graz (1740–1744).2 The saints are shown in classical contrapost, holding their attributes in their hands (book, crozier, ear bundle, broken chain). In the upper zone, there is the exceedingly dynamic depiction of God, sitting on a cloudscape, holding sphere and sceptre. He is surrounded by winged putto-heads. On the outer edge of the cranked entablature we see the sitting statues of St Barbara and St Catherine. Above them, there are two highly moved angels with wings widely spread. The altar is crowned by two putti and two stone urns of fire.

Construction / Execution

The altar is created as wooden high relief with a baroque, polychrome colouring and gilding.1 The three-quarter round sculptures of St Donate and St Leonhard are made of carved wood.

Components

Carpentry

Completed: 1735 – 1740

Patron(s): Placidus Mally, abbot

Technique(s): sawing

Material(s): wood

Sculpture

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

Completed: 1735 – 1740

Technique(s): wood carving

Material(s): wood

Polychromy

Sculptures

Completed: 1735 – 1740

Material(s): gold leaf, red bole

Conservation-restoration

1975

Treatment Description

The altar was restored in 1975.4

Images

1. The altar of St John in the parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)
2. St Donate, altar of St John, parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)
3. St Leonhard, altar of St John, parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)
4. St Catherine, altar of St John, parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)
5. God the Father on clouds, altar of St John, parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)
6. Angel (left) on the entablature, altar of St John, parish church of Semriach (photo by Diocesan Museum Graz, Karin Weninger, 2006)