Stained glass from Mariawald Abbey

Mariawald Abbey in Germany was built between 1480 and 1539. It is in a wooded area just south-west of Cologne named after a miracle-working statue of the Virgin Mary – Mariawald literally means ‘Mary forest’. From the mid-15th century onwards the statue's miracle-working powers began to draw large numbers of pilgrims. The original chapel on the site was not large enough to accommodate them, so in 1480 the nearby Cistercian monastery at Bottenbroich financed a new abbey.

Cloisters, covered walkways attached to a monastery or church and enclosing an open courtyard, are usually open at the sides, but at Mariawald Abbey the cloister had glass windows. These were made of clear and coloured glass with painted and stained details portraying events from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

 

 

The bottom row of the windows depicted the many religious leaders and prominent families of the north Rhineland who had contributed towards the cloister glass. These two panels show the family of Rabolt II von Plettenberg and his wife Margaretha Einenberg-Landskron, both from high-ranking families in the north Rhineland.

They were married in 1513 and had two sons and six daughters. The panel on the right shows Margaretha Einenberg with four of their daughters - the two youngest were not yet born. The panel on the left depicts Rabolt II with his eldest son, Rabolt III, and his wife. They were married in 1538, the same year as the second son, Engelbert, died.

If you look closely at the area behind the right leg of Rabolt III there are indications of a cushion and the drapery of a kneeling figure. It is possible that the panel originally showed both sons in their youth, just as their sisters are depicted opposite. Later, Engelbert was removed and an older Rabolt III and his wife were inserted. This probably happened at an important moment in the family's history, perhaps at Engelbert's death or Rabolt III's marriage.

During the French Revolution (1789–99) and the subsequent religious upheavals under Napoleon Bonaparte (reigned 1804–14/15), many monastic institutions in mainland Europe were secularised and their buildings sold or destroyed. Mariawald Abbey was closed in 1802, by which point the stained glass had already been removed.

The glass was bought by John Christopher Hampp of Norwich, who sold it on to various churches and private collectors in England. Many of the panels were bought by Lord Brownlow, who installed them in his new chapel at Ashridge Park, Hertfordshire. In 1928 the contents of Ashridge Park were sold at auction. A private collector bought the stained glass panels and donated them to the V&A.

 

 

 

Highlights from the V&A's collection of stained glass from Mariawald Abbey

 

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  Fall of the Rebel Angels, about 1522

  Fall of the Rebel Angels, about 1522, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.307-1928

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  The Massacre of the Innocents, 1522-26

  The Massacre of the Innocents, 1522-26, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.298-1928

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  Joab stabbing Amasa, 1516 - 1522

  Joab stabbing Amasa, 1516 - 1522, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.209-1928

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  Elisha and the Sons of the Prophets, 1516-1522

  Elisha and the Sons of the Prophets, 1516-1522, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch Museum no. C.210-1928

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  Gideon and the Fleece, 1522

  Gideon and the Fleece
  Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (lower Rhine)
  1522
  Museum no. C.220-1928
  Given by E.E. Cook

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  The Rest on the Flight to Egypt, 1522-1926

  The Rest on the Flight to Egypt, 1522-1926, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.243-1928

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  Adelheid, wife of Arnold von Loe

  Adelheid, wife of Arnold von Loe, and Saint James the Less, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1519. Museum no. C.241-1928

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  Fall of the Egyptian Idol, 1522 - 26

  Fall of the Egyptian Idol, 1522 - 26, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.244-1928

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  Massacre of the Sons of Ahaziah, 1522 - 26

  Massacre of the Sons of Ahaziah, 1522 - 26, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.247-1928

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  Moses and the Burning Bush, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  Moses and the Burning Bush, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1522-26, Germany (Lower Rhine). Museum no. C.266-1928

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  The Worship of the Golden Calf, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  The Worship of the Golden Calf, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1522-26, Germany (Lower Rhine). Museum no. C.267-1928

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  Elijah Raising the Widows Son, 1522-26

  Elijah Raising the Widows Son
  Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (Lower Rhine)
  1522-26
  Museum no. C.288-1928

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  The Presentation in the Temple, 1522-26

  The Presentation in the Temple
  Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (Lower Rhine)
  1522-26
  Museum no. C.294-1928

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  The Nativity, 1522-26

  The Nativity
  Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (Lower Rhine)
  1522-26
  Museum no. C.301-1928

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  Joseph before Pharoah, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  Joseph before Pharoah, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1516-22, Germany (Lower Rhine). Museum no. C.119-1945

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  Prophet Malachi, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  Prophet Malachi, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1522-26, Germany (Lower Rhine). Museum no. C.220A-1928

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  St Peter and Donor, 1516-22

  St Peter and Donor
  Evenhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (Lower Rhine)
  1516-22
  Museum no. C.240-1928

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  Hosea, 1522-26

  Hosea
  Evenhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch
  Germany (Lower Rhine)
  1522-26
  Museum no. C.245-1928

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  Ezekiel, 1516 - 22

  Ezekiel, 1516 - 22, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.291-1928

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  St John the Baptist and donor Henrich Kretzgens, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  St John the Baptist and donor Henrich Kretzgens, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1516-22. Museum no. C.291-1928

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  Solomon, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch

  Solomon, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch, 1522-26. Museum no. C.29-1928

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  Stained Glass panel, 1522-26

  Stained Glass panel, 1522-26, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.243-1928

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  St Peter and Donors, 1522-26

  St Peter and Donors, 1522-26, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.319-1928

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  Stained glass panel, 1516-22

  Stained glass panel, 1516-22, Everhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.318-1928

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  Prophet Joshua, 1522-26

  Prophet Joshua, 1522-26, Evenhard Rensig or Gerhard Remisch. Museum no. C.242-1928

 

By Terry Bloxham, 2009

The V&A would like to thank Dagmar Täube for permission to use images

Visit the website of Mariwald Abbey at www.kloster-mariawald.de