Veit Stoss' Bamberger Altar and the Reformation in Nuremberg

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • ファイト・シュトース作『バンベルク祭壇』とニュルンベルク宗教改革
  • ファイト シュトースサク バンベルク サイダン ト ニュルンベルク シュウキョ

Search this article

Abstract

This paper has to do with problems about the purpose of having ordered the Bamberger Altar and the influence by the Reformation in Nuremberg. The new Prior of the Nuremberg Carmelites, Andreas Stoss, seems to have intended to restore order in the monastery by the altar. Then the former high altar was Holy Trinity Altar, and there was no altar concerning Prophet Elijah. It is unnatural for the Carmelites because the Order worshipped particularly the Virgin Mary and Elijah as an original founder. This also seems to have been the reason Andreas planned a new high altar and selected the theme. We notice many differences between the finished work and its preparatory drawing ; two angels with musical instruments and Passion Instruments, the attitude of St. Joseph, and two holes. These could be interpreted by Revelations of St. Birgitta of Sweden. In 1520 Martin Luther criticized the worship of St. Birgitta. On the contrary the Carmelites respected her. Therefore, I suppose that Stoss should have changed the iconography in order to emphasize the Carmelite characters, and in the result it became Anti-Lutheran. Thus Andreas would strengthen a unity of the monastery.

Journal

  • Aesthetics

    Aesthetics 43 (3), 24-36, 1992

    The Japanese Society for Aesthetics

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top