Library, Admont Abbey (1776)*

Artist/Designer: Josef Hueber, Bartolomeo Altomonte

Project Location: Austria

Figure 1: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Ernst Reichenfelser, Benediktinerstift Admont, Library. 2004, Digital Library. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 2: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Ernst Reichenfelser, Benediktinerstift Admont, Library. 2004, Digital Library. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 3: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Rachel Manwill, Destination Libraries: Admont Abbey Library. 2013, Digital Image. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 4: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Rachel Manwill, Destination Libraries: Admont Abbey Library. 2013, Digital Image. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 5: Admont Abbey Library. Source: David Louvet-Rossi, Admont-Abbey-Monastery-Library. 2014, Digital Image. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 6: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Давид, Admont Abbey. 2013, Digital Image. ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Figure 7: Admont Abbey Library. Source: Olympia Le-Tan, Book Smart: Austria's Most Opulent Library. 2013, Digital Image ( Source | Accessed : February 28, 2014 )

Style/Period(s):
Baroque

Primary Material(s):
Stone, Plaster, Paint

Function(s):
Library

Related Website(s):

http://www.austria.info/uk/discover/admont-monastery-1248137.html

http://www.stiftadmont.at/english/museum/bibliothek/stiftsbibliothek.php

Significant Date(s):
18th Century

Additional Information:
The Admont Monastery is one of the oldest existing monasteries in the world having been founded by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg in 1074. Since its foundation, the monastery made great strides to collect and preserve culture artifacts, especially books. The library has since then taken the role of a cultural monument as it functions as a complete work of art as well as a repository of knowledge. Commissioned by Abbot Matthäus Offner and designed by Joseph Hueber, the library is ornamented through various artistic genres including painting, sculpture, metal work, fresco, and architecture. Hueber's design is characteristic of Enlightenment ideals of the Baroque period, which is demonstrated through his use of light that shines in through the 48 windows and is reflected by the gold and silver ornamentation throughout the space. Moreover, the ceiling is divided into seven cupolas which are decorated with frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte, each representing a stage of human knowledge, from science leading up to its highest point, Divine Revelation, in the central cupola. The bookcases beneath the cupolas are decorated with gilded acanthus leaves and molding; they contain numerous volumes of the monastery's book collection, mostly consisting of various editions of the bible and other such theological literature. Along with the frescoes and stucco appliques are a group of over-lifesize sculptures by monastery sculptor Josef Stammel of "The Last Things." Representing death, the last judgement, heaven and hell, these works contrast with Altomonte's frescoes however they make reference to the original "source material" of the Abbey- that of religious devotion.

Publications/Texts in Print-
Gotze, J. 2002. "The Natural History Museum of the Benedictine Abbey, Admont (Austria), Diptera Collectionis P. Gabriel Strobl". ACTA- UNIVERSITATIS CAROLINAE BIOLOGICA. 46: 219-220.

Building Address

Kirchplatz 1, 8911 Admont, Austri

Supporting Designers

Frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte
Sculptures by Joseph Stammel

Tags:
Library, Austria, Austrian, Frescoes, Marble, Baroque

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