Start of the artistic reglazing of four windows in the east choir of Naumburg Cathedral by the artist Prof Dr Markus Lüpertz
Since the late 16th century, there has been a disharmony between the stained glass windows in the east choir of Naumburg Cathedral. While six windows in the choir date from the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries and were restored and made to shine again in 2021, the stained glass on two large long-glazed windows was lost due to weather events, among other things. These windows are simply light-coloured glazed and covered. Thanks to generous funding from the Dr Harald Hack Foundation and the GETEC Foundation, this unsatisfactory state of the east choir from a lighting point of view is now being perfected with designs by the renowned artist, Prof. Dr Markus Lüpertz, and an implementation by the Derix company. Two other smaller windows in the east choir are also to be redesigned by the artist.
„We are delighted that this fantastic project can now begin,“ says Dr Holger Kunde, Director of the Vereinigte Domstifter, „and we are extremely grateful to the GETEC Foundation and the Dr Harald Hack Foundation, as it is only thanks to them that this undertaking is possible at all. “It is a tradition at the Vereinigte Domstifter to integrate contemporary art into the building in order to raise awareness of the significance of these churches in the present day,„ Dr Kunde continued.
The decision in favour of Prof. Dr Markus Lüpertz was made by a jury consisting of: Prof. Dr Michael Göring, member of the board of the Dr Harald Hack Foundation; Dr Ivo Rauch, glass specialist from Koblenz; the representatives of the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments, Mr Bettauer and Mr Brülls; the former dean of the United Cathedral Foundations, Prof. Dr Karin von Welck; the master builder of the cathedral, Regine Hartkopf and the director of the United Cathedral Foundations, Dr Holger Kunde. The selection was made in view of the large oeuvre that Mr Lüpertz has created with the medium of glass, particularly in Cologne, Regensburg and Bamberg, and his narrative power and independence.
The main themes for the window designs will be redemption and damnation. The completion and installation of the windows is planned for 2026.
Prof Dr Markus Lüpertz is looking forward to the task ahead: „This is an important commission for me because of the tradition and significance of Naumburg Cathedral. And it is a great challenge, given the important works of art that are already gathered there. I'm really looking forward to the work.“
„The start of the artistic re-glazing of the windows in the east choir of Naumburg Cathedral is a significant step in the preservation and reorganisation of our cultural heritage. The disharmony that has existed between the stained glass windows since the late 16th century will now be harmonised by the creative designs of Prof. Dr Markus Lüpertz. This project combines historical substance with contemporary art and will allow the east choir of the cathedral to shine in a new light. I am looking forward to the artistic transformation and invite everyone to accompany this exciting process,“ says Rainer Robra, Minister of State and Minister for Culture in Saxony-Anhalt.
„Naumburg Cathedral is known for its unique stained glass windows, which have been part of its identity since the 13th century. The new windows by Markus Lüpertz, with his own expressive style, bring modern impulses to glass art and create a deliberate contrast to the medieval architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this case, the GETEC Foundation is keen to strengthen the link between contemporary art and historical sacred architecture,“ says Heidelinde Gerhold, Chairwoman of the GETEC Foundation.
„Naumburg Cathedral tells many stories. The windows, whose effect on the viewer began in the 13th century and continues to this day, tell a very special and wonderful one. And there are not only the large ones in the west choir, but also the Oberberg windows in the baptistery, the small windows by Thomas Kuzio in the crypt and those by Jochem Poensgen, each reflecting the contemporary approach to church windows in the unique Naumburg Cathedral. Now Markus Lüpertz has joined them with the large windows in the east choir. The Dr Harald Hack Foundation is very happy to support this enrichment. Every window conveys, every window casts a very special light, tells a new story again and again,“ emphasises Prof. Dr. Michael Göring, member of the board of the Dr. Harald Hack Foundation.
Background Information
The East Choir
The east choir was the liturgical centre of the cathedral and is still home to the church's main altar. This is where the Romanesque style of the choir square (13th century) meets the Gothic style of the choir end (14th century). The medieval choir stalls with their impressive lecterns are fascinating even from a distance and their unusual shapes are thought-provoking. The late works of the Naumburg Master have a lifelike effect: the bishop figure and the figure of the deacon (13th century).
The windows in the east choir
With the extension, the east choir also received the six new large Gothic tracery windows, whose current stained glass dates from the 14th to the 21st century. As part of the glass restoration project in Naumburg Cathedral, the stained glass windows in the east choir were extensively restored from 2019 to the beginning of 2021.
- Quantity: 6
- Stained glass window
- Marian window 14th century
- Maiden window 14th century
- St Peter and St Paul window 19th century
- Passion and symbolic windows 15th century
- Most recent restoration: 1970 Workshop Hajna, Erfurt
