4. Polychromy

Today, the original colours of decorated stonework are often not easy to identify at first glance, even though it was a very common and widespread tradition, stretching from the beginning of the Classical period through the Middle Ages and right up to modern era, to create more lively and expressive pieces. In the 19th century in particular, the catastrophic trend to strip all types of objects back to their basic material meant that countless works of art were robbed of their polychrome in order to bring the building material, usually stone, to the fore. Nowadays, restorers use scalpels, magnifying glasses and microscopes to search meticulously for the remains of the original versions so that they can document, preserve and – in some cases – reconstruct the objects.

Knowledge of the pigments and binding material used is the basic requirement for a serious examination of the object from an art history perspective, using these important artistic and conservation techniques.

Projects

• Christ on the Cross, Raasdorf, Lower Austria 2016 Christ on the Cross, new polychromy, 1920
• Neo-Gothic Madonna with Child, Stuckgasse, Vienna 2011 - 2015 Neo-Gothic Madonna with Child – Loretto sandstone, after 1832
• Descent from the Cross, Spitz, Lower Austria 2005 Late Gothic relief, limestone, polychrome (120 x 120 cm), ca. 1500
• Ölberg, Pöchlarn, Wachau, Lower Austria 2003 Late Gothic relief, limestone, polychrome (145 x 72 cm), 1430
• Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Vienna 2003 - 2009 Largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia, Architect: G. I. Kotov, 19th century
• Imperial toll house, Stein an der Donau, Lower Austria 2002 Facade from 1536, stone and plaster polychrome (fresco restoration Jörg Riedel)
• Medieval Pillar, Klosterneuburg Collegiate Church, Lower Austria 2000 Fresco on exposed pillar, 12th century
• Nepomuk Chapel, Grafenegg Palace, Grafenegg, Lower Austria 2000 Nepomuk polychrome and guardian statues, zogelsdorfer limestone
• Nativity Scene by Michael Powolny, Klosterneuburg Monastery, Lower Austria 1999 Glazed art nouveau ceramic nativity scene, consisting of 13 parts, 1920
• Cartouches with Coat of Arms, Town Hall, St. Pölten, Lower Austria 1996 Restoration of all facades
• Wishing Well, Grafenegg Palace, Grafenegg, Lower Austria 1994 Wishing well made of baked clay, polychrome glaze, around 1900
• Portal Facade, Styrian Armory, Graz, Styria 1991 Main gate with polychrome coat of arms and the statues of “Mars” and “Minerva”, 1642 - 1644
• Pilgrims Church, Maria Jeutendorf, Lower Austria 1990 Baroque wooden sculpture, larger than life size, incorporated into facade
• Montecuccoli Mausoleum, Hafnerbach Cemetery, Lower Austria 1987 Brick walls with artificial stone decorations and cornicing, polychrome design, Art nouveau, 1913
• Fireplace, Schallaburg Castle, Schallaburg, Lower Austria 1986 Fireplace, polychrome glazed, around 1600

References

• Art Nouveau character, stucco fixed, Münzgasse, Vienna 2012
• Descent from the Cross, Spitz, around 1500, Spitz, Lower Austria 2006
• St. J. Nepomuk fixed, Stadtgraben, 18th century, Tulln, Lower Austria 2004
• St. Nepomuk on base, 1819, Bad Pirawarth, Lower Austria 2002
• Art Nouveau fountain and wall decor, old hospital Tulln, Tulln, Lower Austria 2001
• Pieta, polychrome fixed, Hauskirchen, Lower Austria 2001
• Palace of Weinschlössl, concept, Attica and Fresco, Dürnstein, Lower Austria 2000
• St. Nepomuk Rehberg at Kremsbrücke, Krems Rehberg, Lower Austria 1997
• Town Hall, plaster, stucco, stone, painting, St. Pölten, Lower Austria 1996
• Fixed cross at church, gilded, base, Eichhorn, Lower Austria 1995
• Chapel Windisch Baumgarten, Fresco, Windisch Baumgarten, Lower Austria 1993
• Lesehof, house coat of arms, Hohensteinstraße, Krems, Lower Austria 1992
• House coat of arms of Maria Hilf, Althangasse 1, Krems, Lower Austria 1992
• St. Nepomuk under canopy, Spitz, Lower Austria 1991
• Old Mill, Monastery of Zwettl, plaque on bridge, Zwettl Monastery, Lower Austria 1990
• Hohenwarth Parish church, facade with Fresco, Hohenwarth, Lower Austria 1990
• Gothic facade, Wienerstraße 5, Herzogenburg, Lower Austria 1989
• Parish church, tower clocks, Fresco, Spitz, Lower Austria 1988