Martyrium der Apostel Petrus und Paulus (Deckenentwurf) c. 1775

Johann Baptist Enderle designed this ceiling in the 18th century, a period marked by the grandeur of the Baroque and the burgeoning ideals of the Enlightenment. This piece depicts the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul, central figures in the establishment of the early Christian church. Enderle captures the emotional intensity of religious fervor and the social dynamics of power and persecution. The violence inflicted on the apostles is set against a backdrop of divine intervention. The design invites us to reflect on themes of faith, sacrifice, and authority, and encourages us to consider the intersections of religious belief, social order, and personal conviction during the 1700s.