PRESS RELEASE
"ALTENBERG MADONNA" ACQUIRED FOR THE STÄDEL
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SCULPTURE ACQUISITIONS IN THE HISTORY OF THE STÄDEL MUSEUM / GOTHIC MADONNA RETURNS TO THE ALTENBERG ALTAR IN THE STÄDEL / WORK IS LISTED AS CULTURAL PROPERTY OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
For the Städel Museum, it is one of the most significant acquisitions in its history: the Virgin and Child Enthroned (c. 1320–1330) from the Altenberg Altarpiece was purchased for the Städel Museum with the support of the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation, the Städelscher Museums-Verein and the Cultural Foundation of the German Federal States. Also known as the Altenberg Madonna, the figure is one of the most important works of medieval sculpture in Germany and one of the oldest examples of fourteenth-century Cologne sculpture. It is unique in that its original paintwork is exceptionally well preserved. The Altenberg Madonna is listed in the register of cultural property of national significance and is therefore protected from export.
The Virgin and Child Enthroned is part of the altarpiece from the abbey church in Altenberg, Hesse. The Städel Museum has owned the painted wings of this altarpiece for 100 years. Together with the original altar shrine, on permanent loan from the Braunfels castle museum, the Altenberg Altar is a major work in the current collection presentation. The paintings on the altar wings are the oldest examples of German painting in the Städel Museum. The Altenberg Madonna was once enthroned in the altar shrine. The sculpture has been in private ownership in southern Germany since the 1920s and has been kept on permanent loan at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich since 1981. With the acquisition of the Altenberg Madonna, all components of the altarpiece are now reunited and can be viewed permanently at the Städel Museum.
Philipp Demandt, Director of the Städel Museum, on the purchase: “After 100 years, the famous Altenberg Madonna has returned to its rightful place on the altar—a momentous occasion in the history of the Städel Museum! We owe the successful acquisition of this exceptional work of art to the foresight of the owners and the dedication of our sponsors. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation, the board, and all members of our support association, and the Cultural Foundation of the German Federal States.”
Work details
Virgin and Child Enthroned
Cologne, c. 1320/1330
Hardwood, painted
132 × 60 × 33 cm
Acquired in 2026 with funds from the Cultural Foundation of the German Federal States as well as Traute Kirchholtes. Joint property with the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.
You can find the full press release here as a PDF.