Erwin von Steinbach

Erwin von Steinbach (c. 1244; † January 17, 1318 in Strasbourg ) was a German stonemason and builder. He is described in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's essay " From German architecture " as sacred the same genius. Master Erwin stood for a long time in the reputation of being the sole builder of Strasbourg Cathedral. Research has shown that this assumption is incorrect. However, come significant changes in the Munster Plan of him, for example in the truss area of the ground floor.

Work

After a no longer existing inscription above the middle door of the west façade of Strasbourg Cathedral "Master Erwin von Steinbach " began on May 25, 1277 this "glorious work". Otherwise, he says in documents and inscriptions Master E. The facade plan B, who arrived in 1275, from France in Strasbourg and was enthusiastically received there, Erwin did not create. He comes from an unknown French architect who was familiar with the great facade solutions of the cathedrals of his native country. The plan B is influenced by the transept facades of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. For structural reasons the plan B in Strasbourg was only partially met. Erwin realized the floor rose in its concept, his successors changed the plans again. The result is one of the most important achievements of the High Gothic.

A document from 1284 mentions Erwin von Steinbach as a foreman, where the name is subsequently entered (after shaving). Proved Erwin 1284 and 1293 as a foreman at the fabric at the Strasbourg Cathedral. According to an inscription he built the Lady Chapel, and he or his workshop is the tomb of Bishop Konrad III. attributed in the St. John's Chapel in the Cathedral.

In December 2009 it was announced that the Institute of Architectural History at the University of Karlsruhe comprehensive comparisons of all traditional Gothic plan drawings of Münsterbauten in Strasbourg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Thann and Breisach could prove that Erwin von Steinbach is also the builder of the Freiburg cathedral tower. Previously it had been assumed that the 116 meter high tower is the work of two architects whose names remained unknown.

Life

Little is known about his life and origins. He was probably born around 1244. The claim of the present-day Baden -Baden district of Steinbach to be Erwin's place of origin is not proven because there are several places, even in Italy, named Steinbach. Since there are no written records have survived ( with a questionable exception), there is room for speculation.

Documented Champion Erwin is the first time in 1284 really tangible, on a shave ( ie, in a subsequent amendment ) with the transition of the supervision of the cathedral is led to the city of Strasbourg.

Erwin's date of death, that of his wife and his son John Husa have been handed down by a preserved epitaph on the north side of the cathedral in the so-called corpse Hofel. The text reads in translation:

In the year of our Lord 1316, the 21th of july wife died Husa, wife of Master Erwin. In the year of our Lord 1318, 17 January, died Champion Erwin, Gubernator the Strasbourg Münster factory. In the year of our Lord 1339, 18 March, died Master John, son Erwin, the foreman of this church.

Two other sons of Erwin are detectable, Gerlach and John, called winlin († 1342 ). After Erwin's death, his son John as the Strasbourg cathedral builders continued his father's work. Erwin's son Gerlach directed the construction of the collegiate church Niederhaslach, where he was killed on 18 March 1329. Mythical is a sculptor Sabina von Steinbach, who allegedly signed today a destroyed statue.

Honors

On September 28, 1843, the Strasbourg sculptor Andreas Friedrich wrote to the mayor of the city of Steinbach and asked for permission to erect a monument to Master Erwin. He came to Steinbach and bought a plot of land for the statue, which he produced himself. On August 29, 1844, the monument was unveiled. It bears the inscription "To the builders of Strasbourg Cathedral Erwin born died at Steinbach at Strasbourg MCCCXVIII ". It is worth mentioning in this context that it turned out later that the monument had been donated by the Lodge of Freemasons. This consider masterpieces Erwin as the founder of the lay brotherhood of the Fabric of Strasbourg Cathedral, the subject only to the king or emperor. In these lay brotherhood they see one of the roots of her box.

A bust of Erwin von Steinbach of Landolin impotence is placed in Walhalla.

In the facade of the Dresden Academy of Arts a stone tablet with his name, in addition to those taken in nine other major artists.

The entrance of the main building of the University of Karlsruhe (Kaiser Strasse 12 ) carries two portal figures, which were created by Alois Mauler. A shows Erwin von Steinbach, the other Johannes Kepler.

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