bavarikon4UAltar of the Palace Chapel, Neuburg upon Danube, 1534–1542
Two steps lead to the rectangular chapel of Neuburg Castle with its precious red marble altar. The altarpiece consists of an elegant triumphal-arch architecture popular in the Renaissance. Beneath the arch, there is a crucifixion group in red marble and Solnhofen stone, created by the sculptor Martin Hering from Eichstätt in 1540–1542. In the centre, Christ crucified may be seen, flanked by the two thieves on their crosses. The Blessed Virgin and the favourite disciple John stand at the foot of Christ’s cross.
The inscription on the crown of the arch names the patron, Count Palatine Ottheinrich (1502–1559, count palatine 1505–1559, from 1556 also elector of the Palatinate). The inscription on the so-called predella, the pedestal underneath the group of figures, promises the believers redemption through Christ’s sacrifice which is compared here to a story from the Old Testament. Just as Moses, at God’s behest, hung the metal serpent on a high pole in order to save the believers with the help of the bronze figure, Jesus Christ had also been nailed to the cross in order to bring salvation to the believers. The inscription also contains the date 1542.
Instead of the lost altar table, a parapet fragment of the Neuburg municipal fountain (c.1534–38 by M. Dreher) replaced the original mensa. The relief shows the Bavarian coat of arms, which is presented by two putti.