“We want to appeal to people with all their senses,” Abbot Mauritius and Father Wendelinus open the Albert Weisgerber exhibition in the chapter hall of the Benedictine Abbey of Tholey, the oldest monastery in Germany. “Until a few years ago, our abbey was still dilapidated; today we stand in a building that has kept pace with the changing times,” says Father Wendelinus. With the comprehensive renovation, the currently 13-member convent also bid farewell to the window design of the 1950s. Today, impressive windows by the internationally renowned contemporary artist Gerhard Richter and the Afghan artist Mahbuba Elham Maqsoodi can be seen. “With this, our abbey has become a magnet that attracts interested people from all over the world. What better place is there to show people art?” says the Father. Together with the general representative of the abbey, the St. Ingbert lawyer Matthias Bayer, the idea quickly became an exhibition concept. Mayor Dr. Ulli Meyer was also immediately enthusiastic and provided works with religious themes from the Albert Weisgerber Foundation as a loan. “The city of St. Ingbert can count itself lucky to have found a historical and dignified place for Weisgerber’s works with the chapter hall in the abbey church. This special exhibition of religious artworks could not have found a better location,” the mayor is pleased.
„Albert Weisgerber (1878 to 1915) devoted himself around the turn of the century, inspired by the reading of the Bible and Italian Renaissance art, to religious and mythological subjects. Themes of suffering and death, struggle and overcoming moved into the focus of his work,“ explains the curator of the Albert Weisgerber Foundation and this exhibition, Andrea Fischer. Two motifs fascinated Weisgerber particularly, and they are also the focus of the exhibition: on the one hand Saint Sebastian, in whom Weisgerber probably saw himself as an artist in his role as an outsider and martyr. On the other hand, the moving depictions of the lamenting prophet Jeremiah, which were created in the crisis period before the First World War. „Martyrs, prophets, and fighters have also intensely occupied the Abbey of Tholey for more than 1,388 years,“ says Abbot Mauritius. „And in today’s times, these themes are more relevant than ever.“
The chapter hall as an exhibition space is also entirely dedicated to change. The former sacristy has served over time as a preparation room for worship, a meeting room for the monastic community, an emergency church, as well as a dining and event hall. Father Wendelinus even recalls stories from his grandparents about lively carnival celebrations in this room. The vaulted ceiling and the entire room structure posed great challenges for the exhibition's curator. Since the walls are unsuitable for hanging paintings, the artists Patrick Jungfleisch and Christian Kirsch from the St. Ingbert gallery Kvest created special display walls. On these, Weisgerber's works are optimally showcased and create a connection to the sacred space, which also features a crucifix and a tabernacle from the monastery's treasure.
The exhibition is solemnly opened to the sounds of the imposing organ, on which 16-year-old Mathis Abbing from St. Ingbert performs works by the German composer, pianist, and organist Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and the French organist and composer Louis Vierne. It is truly an experience for all the senses: lavender scents the garden, birds chirp. In the cool, sunlit church space, the images, windows, and church art offer overwhelming impressions to the eye, and the organ tones sound through the church vault like gentle wind and stormy thunder. On the abbey terrace, cool drinks and small snacks refresh the palate. "Religious art is timeless," says Ulli Meyer. "The pictures invite reflection on the current situation. I thank all involved for the great idea and the quick and professional implementation. I gladly recommend to the citizens to view the works of the St. Ingbert artist in the Tholey Monastery with its unique church windows, fantastic garden, and sunny restaurant terrace."
The exhibition in the chapter hall is open until October 9, 2022, and can be accessed through the entrance of the abbey church. Admission tickets are available at the abbey's tourist information/visitor center or directly in the church.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 12 PM and 2 PM – 5 PM
Sunday: 1:30 PM – 5 PM
Admission prices:
Regular €5
Reduced €3
Reduced €3 when booking the abbey tour
Admission is free for children and teenagers under 14 years old
Contact:
Tourist Information/Visitor Center
Römerallee 5
66636 Tholey
Email: touristik@tholey.de
www.tholey.de
