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The Verdun altar

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In 1330 much of Klosterneuburg Monastery is destroyed by a devastating fire. According to the monastery’s chronicles, Nicholas of Verdun’s famous 51 enamelled plates, which at this time line a pulpit, can only be saved by being doused in mass wine.

Provost Stephan von Sierndorf has the plates brought to Vienna in 1331 and rebuilt into a 3-piece winged altar. As a free-standing altar, the back and sides must also be artistically configured. 6 plates in the style of the 12th century are added to the front and 4 to the back.

The reverse sides of the triptych with their 4 tempera paintings represent some of the oldest monumental tableau painting north of the Alps. Although the artist remains a mystery, his achievement is undisputed. All 4 compositions display a clear and simple setup, dominated by symmetry.

4 scenes from the Heilsgeschichte are realistically portrayed in detail: the Death and Coronation of the Virgin, the Crucifixion of Christ and the 3 women at Christ’s tomb. All the pictures feature subtle use of colour and fine figure work. The anonymous artist has created works which are absolutely on a par with Nicholas of Verdun’s plates.

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