Klosterneuburg Altar 1181

The Klosterneuburg Altar was made around 1181 in Austria by Nicholas of Verdun using gilded copper and enamel plaques, demonstrating the cultural wealth of the Catholic church. The altar presents a theological program, divided into three horizontal registers that present a series of scenes. By pairing Old Testament scenes with those of the New Testament, Nicholas advanced the medieval idea that the Old Testament prefigured the New Testament. The images are accompanied by Latin inscriptions that explain the relationship between the scenes. Nicholas of Verdun was one of the most important artists of the 12th century, and he also worked for other powerful institutions such as the Cologne Cathedral. The Altar is an important example of Romanesque art and a testament to the social, political, and religious contexts in which art is made and used. Examining medieval theological texts would enable us to better understand the context of the Altar and the meaning of its imagery.