Wildunger Altar

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The Wildunger Altar is the most valuable piece of equipment in the Evangelical City Church of Bad Wildungen . The altar, created by Conrad von Soest around 1403, is an important work of German panel painting .

General view of the Wildunger Altar

Description and history

The Wildunger Altar has a size of 189 × 611 cm. The 13 pictures on the inside show the childhood and suffering of Jesus . The crucifixion is depicted in the center of the altar . The Annunciation of the Birth and the Birth can be seen above on the left side panel. Among them are the three kings and the offering of the child in the temple . To the left of the crucifixion continues with the Last Supper . To the right of the large main picture is the Gethsemane scene . It continues on the right wing with the interrogation of Pilate and next to it Jesus' flagellation . The resurrection can be seen at the bottom left of the crucifixion scene and the ascension to the right . On the right side wing below the story of Pentecost and Christ as the judge of the world are depicted.

Conrad's style and the altar type are Westphalian - but based on the French style. He had an influence on the Low German area. The discovery of space and perspective can be traced back to the influence of Burgundian painting. There is said to have been a theological advisor for the picture program - the chaplain Conrad Stolle, who worked in Wildungen around 1400.

During the Reformation, the altar stood in the closed position on one of the side walls. The Wildunger Altar survived the Second World War unscathed in a bunker near Wildungen. The Wildunger Altar has been restored many times, the last time in 1998.

The individual images of the Wildunger Altar

The Annunciation to Mary

"Maria is shown as an educated and noble woman, as the books and her clothes show."

- Information sheet / text by Wolfgang Keller

The white lilies in the vase symbolize Mary's purity, the dove the Holy Spirit . The Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior. The banner reads in Latin: “Greetings, Mary, Gracious One, the Lord is with you!” Conrad mentioned himself in the picture. In the original you can read what is written on the page of the open book - which is not visible to Maria - it is the name of the artist.

The birth of christ

The scene of the birth picture is dominated by Mary and the child. Josef kneels in front of it and prepares porridge for the child. The Son of God caresses his mother - both have a halo . Joseph, on the other hand, is the caring father - depicted as a simple craftsman without a halo.

Adoration of the Magi

In the worship scene, the stable has become Gothic architecture. The depiction shows courtly splendor. The kings represent three ages and are magnificently dressed.

Offering the child in the temple

Simeon is shown in the picture, clearly recognizable as a Jew. He has a little pouch hanging on his belt that holds the ritual circumcision instruments.

The last supper

“Not to be seen by everyone sitting at the table, but facing us openly, the traitor carries his reward in a bag on his back. As a further sign of betrayal, he hides a fish (an early symbol of Christians) under the table. "

- Wolfgang Keller (see literature)

In the garden of Gethsemane

While Jesus is deep in prayer and the disciples are sleeping, the followers approach from behind on the left. At the top right a hand with a cross protrudes into the picture: The presence of God in Jesus' most difficult hour.

The interrogation with Pilate

In the interrogation scene, Jesus is shown handcuffed. Pilate can be seen on the right, washing his hands "in innocence". On the left, the expressions of two people clearly indicate doubt.

The flagellation and crowning of thorns

A crown of thorns is placed on Jesus, who is handcuffed . He is mistreated and beaten.

"Conrad represents the four classes in the people involved: nobility, bourgeoisie, clergy and peasants."

- Wolfgang Keller (see literature)

The crucifixion

In the crucifixion scene the "good side" is shown on the left and the "bad" side on the right. Conrad made a mistake: The names of the two crucified ones are reversed. The right one is called " Dismas ". Conrad wrote "Jasmus" on the name tag. A little devil is already waiting for him in the picture. On the left the pagan captain is expected by an angel. Dismas is the pagan centurion who recognized Jesus as Savior - he is depicted on the left.

The resurrection

The representation of the sarcophagus and the displaced lid are - unusual for the time - shown in perspective. The left leg is still hidden in the coffin, and the right leg is on the armor of the sleeping soldier. Both legs are not the mainstay - Jesus is not shown real (= earthly).

"The three soldiers, armed in the best Burgundian way, do not understand what is happening - one of them even sleeps on."

- Wolfgang Keller (see literature)

Ascension of Christ

“Particularly impressive ... the rich language of the faces. The disciples and Mary are filled with incredulous amazement, bewilderment and deep despair. Jesus is already far removed. Only his footprints on the stylized Mount of Olives remind of his earthly walk. "

- Wolfgang Keller (see literature)

The Pentecost event

In the Whitsun event, the painter is primarily concerned with honoring Mary as Mother Church . The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove comes upon her, who dominates the image in the representation. The apostle princes Peter and Paul are shown on the left and right . The spectacle apostle in this picture has become a symbol of the city church. It is the earliest image of glasses north of the Alps.

The world judge

In the depiction of the World Judge , Mary on the left and John the Baptist on the right can be seen praying for the salvation of the risen. Below the graves open and hell devours sinners.

The closed altar

When the altar is closed, four saints are depicted: Saint Catherine , John the Baptist, Saint Elizabeth and Saint Nicolaus . These pictures are generally attached to prevent damage to them.

Gallery of the individual images of the Wildunger Altar

crucifixion

  • Birth announcement

  • birth

  • Adoration of the Magi

  • Presentation in the temple

  • Last Supper

  • Jesus before Pilate

  • Jesus' resurrection

  • Ascension

  • Pentecost

  • The glasses apostle

  • The world judge

literature

Web links

Commons : Wildunger Altar  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The year of the inscription is badly damaged. Instead of 1403 it could also be called 1404 or 1414.
  2. ↑ The completion of the Wildunger Altar is given on the page "Medieval Retable in Hesse" as 1403.
  3. ↑ Size information according to Wildunger Altar on the page "Medieval Retable in Hesse"
  4. ↑ According to Hölker (see literature) there are doubts as to whether the outside of the Wildunger Altar was created by Conrad von Soest, because the same care is not found here as on the main panel. Hölke considers the cooperation of assistants to be likely.
  5. ↑ Information on the style of the Wildunger Altar can be found in the overview of the Wildunger Altar on the page "Medieval Retable in Hesse"
  6. ↑ a b c d Wildunger Altar on the page "Medieval Retable in Hesse"
  7. ↑ a b c d e f Wolfgang Keller, Der Altar des Conrad von Soest (on the website www.bad-wildungen.de) ( Memento of the original from December 17, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and still Not checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bad-wildungen.de
  8. ↑ "Altarpiece of Conrad von Soest" (on the website of the Evangelical Church Community Bad Wildungen and Mandern)