Currently not on view

Presentation drawing for a ceiling fresco: The Foundation of Steingaden Monastery,

1739

Johann Georg Bergmüller, German, 1688–1762
2011-19
This elaborate signed and dated drawing was used to show Bergmüller’s patrons what the planned ceiling fresco of the Premonstratensian Abbey Church in Steingaden, Bavaria, would look like. In the central scene, Duke Welf VI, the twelfth-century founder of the abbey, wears a crown and ceremonial robes, while a kneeling architect holding a rod gestures towards the plan of the building. Below this group, workmen are already constructing the abbey, while above, Saint John the Baptist—to whom the church was dedicated— and Saint John the Evangelist descend on a cloud to bless the project. Bergmüller’s essentially monochromatic drawing succeeds in capturing the fresco’s spectacular illusionistic effects, which include a wooden ramp in the lower left that seems to span the church’s organ loft.

Information

Title
Presentation drawing for a ceiling fresco: The Foundation of Steingaden Monastery
Dates

1739

Maker

Johann Georg Bergmüller

Medium
Pen and ink in black and brown, over grey chalk, grey and rose wash, heightened with white
Dimensions
52.2 x 53.3 cm (20 9/16 x 21 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Laura P. Hall Memorial Fund
Object Number
2011-19
Signatures
Signed and dated, lower middle: JGBergmuller fecit Ano 1739 Xbris
Inscription
in ink, lower right: No. 2 in ink, lower right corner: 28118
Culture
German
Type
presentation drawings (proposals)
Materials
prepared paper, ink, wash, chalk
Techniques
heightening
Subject
buildings, John the Baptist, workers, architects, churches, dukes, saints, John the Evangelist, ceremonial costume, figures (representations), crowns (closures), frescoes

Related Objects

J. Westerbaen

Cornelis Visscher

x1934-1267 a

J. Westerbaen , by Cornelis Visscher , object number x1934-1267 a

Number 21 from the Series "Premonition" [aus der Serie "Ahnung"] from Fotobilder Portfolio (Essen, 1989) ,

1989

Volker Heinze

x1989-39.5

Number 21 from the Series "Premonition" [aus der Serie "Ahnung"] from Fotobilder Portfolio (Essen, 1989) , 1989 , by Volker Heinze , object number x1989-39.5

Depressed globular bead with incised striations ,

early 7th century B.C.

y1994-4.16

Depressed globular bead with incised striations , early 7th century B.C. , object number y1994-4.16

Standing Male Nude ,

1885

Frederick William MacMonnies

x1939-121

Standing Male Nude , 1885 , by Frederick William MacMonnies , object number x1939-121

Seed jar ,

late 20th or early 21st century

Dorothy Torivio

2022-178

Seed jar , late 20th or early 21st century , by Dorothy Torivio , object number 2022-178

Diversi Animali: Plate 13: Water Buffalo

Stefano Della Bella

x1965-15

Diversi Animali: Plate 13: Water Buffalo , by Stefano Della Bella , object number x1965-15

Explore More

Hear the Conservator Artist-in-Residence Talk: Liu Xiaodong