Städel Museum Acquires Medieval Altenberger Madonna Sculpture
The Städel Museum in Frankfurt has purchased the Altenberger Madonna, a significant medieval wooden sculpture created around 1320-1330 in Cologne. The acquisition was supported by the Kulturstiftung der Länder with €1.25 million. This Gothic sculpture, recognized as nationally valuable cultural property, completes the Altenberger Altar retable already housed at the museum. Previously held in private ownership and on long-term loan to the Bavarian National Museum since 1981, the work will now be permanently accessible to the public. Additional funding came from the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Städelscher Museums-Verein.
Key facts
- The Städel Museum acquired the Altenberger Madonna, a Gothic wooden sculpture from around 1320-1330.
- The Kulturstiftung der Länder contributed €1.25 million toward the purchase.
- The sculpture completes the Altenberger Altar retable, one of few surviving 14th-century winged altarpieces in Germany.
Entities
Institutions
- Städel Museum
- Kulturstiftung der Länder
- Bavarian National Museum
- Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung
- Städelscher Museums-Verein
Locations
- Frankfurt
- Cologne
- Altenberg an der Lahn