Cologne Cathedral and the age of the Gothic cathedrals

When construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1248, which gradually replaced the preceding building following the example set by French cathedrals, a new style emphatically came into its own in Cologne, which had heretofore been characterised by its Romanesque churches. The cathedral was completed according to medieval plans as late as 1842-1880, but its eastern choir and southern façade tower still date back to the Gothic period of the 13th and 14th centuries. The walls of the cathedral are made almost exclusively out of glass windows, which now experienced a heyday as settings for luminous pictures. The windows were set in a geometrically artistic framework of stone, and the columns and window framework were upheld by outwardly projecting supports known as buttresses. Gothic ivory carvings and works of the goldsmith’s art reflected these shapes in the form of micro-architecture. The church building was already considered a symbol of Heavenly Jerusalem, the paradise city described in the Apocalypse of St. John. The architectural forms, jutting vertically upwards, correspond to the emphasis on the axes of the body and the spatial effect of figures in Gothic sculpture. The Museum Schnütgen’s collection includes a large number of masterpieces of Gothic art as well as furnishings that were removed from the cathedral during the Baroque period. Among these are figures from the High Altar that was consecrated in 1322 and fragments of the sacrament tabernacle.

Stained glass depicting Jesus putting a crown on Mary. Above them is depicted an angel, below them two praying people.

Coronation of the Virgin Mary, Cologne, c. 1250-1260, stained glass, 91.1 x 48.2 cm, Inv. No. M 3, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

3 wooden figures, in the center a hanging Jesus without a cross and without arms, on the left the mourning Mary and on the right the mourning evangelist John.

Triumphal Cross Ensemble, Northern France, 1250-1275, willow, H. 167cm (Christ), 156 cm (Mary), 150 cm (St. John), Inv. No. A 999, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stained glass depicting Jesus putting a crown on Mary. Above them is depicted an angel, below them two praying people.

Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Cologne, c. 1250-1260, stained glass, 88 x 45 cm, Inv. No. M 2, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Standing Madonna in a golden robe and a red cloak with the seated baby Jesus on her left arm. The child looks at the face of Mary, Mary looks at the viewer. The right hand of the Madonna is missing.

Ollesheim Madonna, Cologne, c. 1260-1270, beech, H. 81 cm, Inv. No. A 1054, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Wooden figure of a young Mary sitting on a wide throne seat. On her arm she holds the baby Jesus. His face is turned towards her.

Madonna on the Wide Throne, Cologne, c. 1270, oak, H. 61.5 cm, Inv. No. A 46, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Gilded altar cross with silver figure of Jesus and small glass boxes for storing relics.

Altar Cross and Reliquary (Ostensorium) of Heimbach-Weiß, Cologne, c. 1300, silver, repoussé and gilt, translucent silver enamel, rock crystal, selenite, H. 35.5 cm, Inv. No. G 527, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

White marble sculpture: on the left is the angel Gabriel. He shows Mary sitting on a throne on the right, a passage on a scroll. Between the two standing on the ground a vase with a stylized rose shoot.

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary from the High Altar of Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, c. 1310-1322, marble, H. 38.5 cm, Inv. No. K 210 c, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stained glass window depicting Mary with the infant Jesus on her lap along with the Magi.

Adoration of the Magi, sculptures from the high altar in Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, c. 1310, c. 38-42 x 34-41 x 9 cm, inv. no. K 210a, 210e, 210m, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Wooden figure of St. Dionysius. In his right hand he holds his severed scalp, on which sits a bishop's hat.

St. Dionysius, Cologne, c. 1320, walnut, H. 74 cm, Inv. No. A 894, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

White sculptural ensemble: from left to right the Magi, the first two standing, the third kneeling and offering a gift. Right: Mary sitting on the throne with the baby Jesus on her lap.

Adoration of the Magi from the Dreikönigenpförtchen (Magi Portal) by St. Maria im Kapitol, Cologne, before 1322, calcareous sandstone, H. 86-89.5 cm, on loan from the City Conservator of Cologne, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Smiling Mary, sitting on a throne; she wears a white robe with golden lilies and red hem, the hand on the right holds a short black staff, the arm on the left is bent and points away from her, the hand is open.

Enthroned Virgin from the Clarissan Monastery of St. Klara in Cologne, Cologne, c. 1340, walnut, H. 56.5 cm, Inv. No. A 773, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Richly decorated red and gold cradle in the style of a Gothic church with small carved heads on the side looking through stylized lancet windows

Crib of the Infant Jesus, Cologne, c. 1340-1350, oak and parchment, 31 x 28 x 17 cm, Inv. No. A 779, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Gilded goblet with star-shaped foot.

Chalice, Cologne, mid-14th cent., re-gilded silver, silver champlevé, H. 19.5 cm, Inv. No. G 32, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Crucifix made of wood. The cross is depicted as a tree trunk with branches. The right hand of Jesus is missing.

Crucifixus dolorosus, Cologne, c. 1370, walnut, 162 x 99 x 28 cm, Inv. No. A 362, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Sitting Mary made of wood. She wears a white dress and has her head lowered in mourning. On her lap lies the dead Jesus with crown of thorns.

Pietà, Rhineland, c. 1380/1390, walnut, 45.5 x 23.5 x 17 cm, Inv. No. A 1052, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Richly decorated vessel in the form of a Gothic tower with figural representations and a massive base

Ciborium Monstrance, Westphalia, 1st half of 15th cent., silver gilt, H. 59.5 cm, Inv. No. G 92, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Richly decorated filigree vessel in the shape of a Gothic tower on a massive base

Tower Ciborium, Cologne, 1st half of 15th cent., silver, partially gilded, H. 39.5 cm, Inv. No. G 130, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv