Monday, January 14, 2013

St. Stephen's Basilica Budapest

Because construction took over fifty years (between 1851 and 1905), the initial designs for this church were started by Miklos Ybl, but were ultimately completed by Jozsef Hild and Jozsef Kauser. Originally meant to be dedicated to St. Leopold, the patron saint of Austria, that plan was also changed before its opening in lieu of honoring Hungary's first king.


The mosaic tympanum of 1893 located over the main entrance door is Our Lord on the Throne with Angels. It was designed by Mor Than. It is currently covered by a wire mesh to keeps birds away.


Salviati's design of "Christ in Glory" from 1893 served as a blueprint for the final mosaic.



The mosaics in the half dome of the apse featuring angels celebrating five steps in Holy Mass were designed by Karoly Lotz and Gyula Benczur and installed in 1900.


"Pictures in apse of St. Leopold's Cathedral Budapest 36 sq f each."



Additional designs from Salviati from the original plans, featuring wingless cherubs.



Sources:
Earth in Pictures
Alma Kaufmann's flickr Photostream
Budapest Christmas
Barr, Sheldon. Venetian Glass Mosaics: 1860-1917. New York: Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd., 2008. 76-79.
Vasarnapi Ujsag. Vol 47, No 46. 1900.
Wikipedia: St. Stephen's Basilica. Accessed February 11, 2022.
Erede Dr. A. Salviati & Co. Venezia Catalog. Items 129-140. "Made for St. Leopold's Cathedral Budapest. 25 sq. ft. each." After 1903. Courtesy of @Troyoz on Twitter




No comments:

Post a Comment