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Wien
Wien (Land) Graben (1.) |
PestsäulePlague Column |
Various sculptors
1693 |
Baroque Trinity Column, in the form of a 18 meter high pyramid of clouds on the triangular pedestal, dedicated to the Trinity and the Nine Choirs of Angels (Neun Chöre der Engel, see Wikipedia), commemorating the bubonic plague epidemic of 1679. The cloud pyramid is surmounted by a sculpture of the Trinity.
The monument can be devided in various elements:
Statue: Leopold I in Prayer
Sculpture group: Faith Triumphing over Pestilence
First part of prayer.
Coat of arms of Österreich ob der Enns (Upper Austria).
Second part of prayer.
Coat of arms of Österreich unter der Enns (Lower Austria).
Third part of prayer.
I | II | III |
Tibi Regi Soeculorum Immortali: Uni In Essentia Et Trino In Personis, DEO Infinito, Bono, &Aelig;terno Et Immenso, Cuius Dextera Omnia Sunt Possibilia, Cuius Sapientiæ Nihil Est Absconditum, Cuius Providentia In Sua Dispositione Non Fallitur Cuius Maiestate Impletur Universum, Cuius Misericordia Supra Omnia Opera! |
Svscipe Clementissime Deus, Servi Tui Demisse Te Adorantis Vota: Et Me, Coniugem, Liberos, Domumqve Meam: Populos Et Exercitus Meos: Regna Ac Provincias: Continua Misericordiæ Tuæ Protectione Guberna Custodi, Defende! Ita VoVI: Anno DoMINI saLVatorIs nostrI IesU ChrIstI |
Tibi, Inquam, Sanctissimæ Ac Individuæ Trinitati Ego Leopoldus Humilis Servus Tuus Gratias Ago Quas Possum Maximas Pro Aversa Anno MDCLXXIX Per Summam Benignitatem Tuam Ab Hac Vrbe Et Avstriæ Provincia Diræ Pestis Lue: Atque In Perpetuam Debitæ Gratitudinis Tesseram Præsens Monumentum Demississime Consecro |
You, the immortal King of the ages, one in essence and three in person, the God infinite, good, eternal and immeasurable, whose right hand is for everything possible, for his wisdom nothing is hidden, whose providence in their arrangements, is not mistaken by its grandeur, the universe is fulfilled, whose mercy is over all actions. |
Suppose kindest God, the vows of your servant who adores you humbly: And me, my wife, my children, my house, my peoples and armies, kingdoms and provinces: .., guard, defend the constant protection of your mercy! So I have vowed in the year [1679] of the Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Last lines: Chronogram 1679 |
You, the holy and indivisible Trinity: I Leopold, your humble servant, I thank you so much I can, that in 1679, by your high quality from this city and province of Austia the disastrous plague was averted: and as permanent sign of gratitude due to you I dedicate this memorial humbly. |
After Rauchmiller's death Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was in charge of the plans. The original design was considered too old-fashing and Fischer made a new design, while at the same time also theatre engineer Ludovico Ottavio Burnacini became involved in the project and made designs. The most important differences with the original plan was the 'Triumphant Trinity' and the pyramid of clouds (invented by Burnacini).
The monumental architectural pedestal was adorned with twelve marble reliefs and affixed inscriptions after the plan of Franciscus Menegatti, with each section of the tripartite memorial was dedicated to one of the three divine persons.
The column was completed in 1694, but was already inaugurated on 29 October 1693.
In spite of the long construction period, the frequent amendments of the design and the large number of sculptors involved, the monument appears quite homogeneous. During the design period, it changed from a conservative memorial column to a high baroque scene, narrating a story in a theatrical form. The monument thus indicates the transition to the era of High Baroque in Vienna. It highly influenced the style and was imitated in the whole Austrian region.
Sculptors:
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