Golden Passion

Georg Petel and the mystery of his Crucifixion group

The studio-exhibition unravels the mystery behind a work of the famous Augsburg Baroque sculptor Georg Petel (1601/02– 1634), who in the 18th century was praised as the “German Michelangelo”. It showcases the spectacular reconstruction of his gilded Crucifixion group comprising a Crucifix discovered at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum – hitherto believed to be lost – and his virtuoso figures of the Two Thieves from the Bode- Museum in Berlin. More than a dozen exhibits will be presen- ted, among them loans from major collections like his precious bronzes as well as other masterworks by the brilliant artist and works from the period. Emulations of the Thieves account for the renown of his artistic inventions. The manufacturing of the bronzes is visualized using CT scanner technology.

The exhibition is a cooperation between the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum and the Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (Exhibition period: 19/07–20/10/2024).

Sponsored by Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and Reiner Winkler Stiftung.