Altarentwurf_ Je zwei glatte Säulen tragen den Auszug mit Gottvater und Engeln, neben den Säulen zwei stehende Engel Gabriel und Raphael, am Tabernakel Christus in Emmaus, rechts daneben die Geißelung Christi c. 1760

This is Johann Baptist Straub's sketch for an altar, rendered with delicate pen strokes on paper. The drawing presents a symmetrical and hierarchical composition, typical of Baroque designs. Two smooth columns frame the central space, crowned by God the Father amidst angels, while statues of archangels stand guard below. Straub uses the architectural structure of the altar to create a visual narrative, from the earthly realm at the base to the divine at the apex. The meticulous lines suggest not just form but also the texture and materiality of the intended sculpture, inviting a tactile imagining of the artwork. The sketch operates as a semiotic system where each figure and architectural element carries symbolic weight. Yet, it also reveals a tension between the solid, classical forms and the dynamic, swirling figures above. This interplay destabilizes any fixed interpretation, suggesting instead a dynamic site of visual and theological negotiation. It reminds us that the altar, even in its drawn form, functions as a structured space for contemplation, an invitation for ongoing interpretation.