300-year-old frescoes in the Alserkirche: A mysterious find!

300-year-old frescoes in the Alserkirche: A mysterious find!

Fascinating frescoes were recently discovered in the Alserkirche in Vienna's 8th district, which are dated to be around 300 years old. The wall paintings depicting the evangelists Matthew, Luke, Mark and John are by an unknown artist and were uncovered during painting work inside the church. These remarkable works of art are impressive to look at at three meters high and are in surprisingly good condition. The frescoes were apparently painted over a hundred years after they were created, which led to them being forgotten for a long time. Tim Juckes from the Federal Monuments Office described the find as “unusual,” which makes the important discovery even more special. Restoration work is already underway and is being carried out by five restorers who are expected to finish restoring the frescoes by the end of October, reports meinkreis.at.

Does this raise the question of how such art treasures could remain hidden in a church? According to reports, the frescoes were hidden behind a layer of plaster more than 300 years ago, but the exact reason behind their overpainting remains a mystery. Despite this mystery, the paintings have opened a new chapter in the history of the Alserkirche to the community and art lovers.

A master of the Baroque: Andrea Pozzo

A possible connection to these frescoes could be Andrea Pozzo, an Italian Baroque painter and architect known for his impressive trompe l'oeil dome frescoes. Born on November 30, 1642 in Trent, Pozzo came to Vienna in 1702 at the invitation of Emperor Leopold I, where he left behind important works. Among his most famous are the illusionistic ceiling frescoes in the Jesuit Church. Pozzo was not only active as a fresco artist, but also as a theorist of illusionistic painting. His most famous work, the treatise “Perspectiva pictorum et architectorum”, offers interesting insights into his techniques and demands, such as historiewiki.wien.gv.at explained.

Pozzo, who died in Vienna in August 1709, is often associated with the development of the Baroque style. His works show a characteristic use of foreshortening, which could also have played a role in the now discovered frescoes in the Alserkirche. However, it cannot currently be confirmed whether he was directly involved in the works of art found in the Alserkirche.

Historical heritage and culture

The discovery of the frescoes in the Alserkirche fits into a series of extraordinary architectural finds that continue to come to light in Vienna. These paintings are of great importance not only for the parish of Alser Vorstadt, but also for the art history of Austria. Such discoveries show how timeless and valuable the city's cultural heritage is. They also shed light on the exciting questions about the artists and styles of bygone eras that are still deeply rooted in the walls of the historic buildings.

How the history of the Alserkirche will develop remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the frescoes have permanently changed the view of the church and its history and could offer an exciting stimulus for art lovers and tourists. In the coming weeks we can look forward to the restoration results and their presentation.