Ferdinand Franz Wallraf (1748-1824)

The Museum Schnütgen also owes significant works to the commitment of Ferdinand Franz Wallraf (1748-1824). These works found their way into the museum, which traces its origins back to Alexander Schnütgen's collection, via several stages. In the course of the restructuring of Cologne's museums in the early 1930s, a large number of works were exchanged, some from the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and others from the Museum of Decorative Arts (now the MAKK), both of which have their roots in the so-called Wallrafianum. Through this museum, the Wallraf collection, bequeathed to the city in 1827, was made accessible to the public until the collection, which had grown in the meantime, was given its own building in 1861 with the Wallraf-Richartz Museum. Therefore, it is only possible to determine with certainty that individual objects in the Schnütgen Museum originally belonged to the collection of F.F. Wallraf.

Wallraf was certainly responsible for preserving medieval architectural decorations, such as stone capitals and stained glass windows from Cologne churches, including those from what is now the Museum Church of St. Cecilia. Wallraf had officially campaigned for their preservation from churches that were partly destined for demolition as a conservator (“Conservateur des Monuments”) during the French occupation. Ultimately, many of these objects also found their way into the Schnütgen Museum.

Golden Altarpiece from St. Ursula, Cologne, circa 1170-1180, painting: late 14th/early 15th century and 19th century, oak wood, enamel, gilded metal plates and non-ferrous metal sheet, 114x218cm, Inv. G664, Museum Schnütgen (from the F.F. Wallraf Collection)
© Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Christ Child Cradle, Cologne, circa 1340–1350, oak, stucco, and parchment, height 31 cm, Inv. No. A779, Museum Schnütgen (from the Wallrafianum) © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Adoration of the Magi from the high altar of Cologne Cathedral
Cologne, around 1310, white marble, height 38 cm, inventory no. K 210 a, Museum Schnütgen (from the F.F. Wallraf Collection)
© Rheinisches Bildarchiv

So-called comb of St. Heribert, Metz, around 870, ivory, 19 x 12 cm, Inv. No. B 100, Museum Schnütgen (from the F.F. Wallraf Collection)© Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Carolingian Gospel Book
Saint-Amand, around 860-880, parchment, 26 x 19.2 cm; binding, Cologne, around 1160-1170, inv. no. G 531, fol. 151v-152r, image of John the Evangelist and title page, Museum Schnütgen (from the F.F. Wallraf Collection)
© Rheinisches Bildarchiv

St. Stephen
Cologne, around 1280, stained glass, 64 x 57 cm, Inv. No. M524, Museum Schnütgen (from the F.F. Wallraf Collection)
© Rheinisches Bildarchiv

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