Abstract (eng)
In the former cathedral in Wiener Neustadt, eleven depictions of Old Testament prophets in tempera work hang on the pillars of the nave and in the crossing. The dating of the panels, previously in the late 1480s and early 1490s, was based on the apostle sculptures presented in typological unity with the panels. A dating of around 1477/78 is now proposed for the prophetic panels and the previously assumed conceptual typological unity with the wooden statues for the period in which the panels were commissioned is also called into question. The choir screens of the former cathedral are suggested as the original presentation. The prophetic panels are attributed to the master of the Winkler epitaph, whose oeuvre is still partly debated, but can at least be dated to the second half of the 15th century. For stylistic reasons, it is suggested that one panel in the cycle should not be counted as belonging to the original collection, which reduces the original inventory to ten panels. The master draws from a rich treasure trove of Franconian motifs from the environment of Hans Pleydenwurff (1457 (documented)–1472). One of the representations on the prophetic panels was probably included on the shrine and predella back of the Pacher Altar (one panel dated 1479) in St. Wolfgang. One of the prophetic panels could be the cryptoportrait of the first bishop of Wiener Neustadt. The prophetic panels were delivered in poor condition, some of which had been painted over. Unfortunately, the restorations that have taken place also affect the original informative value of the panels.