Klosterneuburg Altar 1181

The Klosterneuburg Altar was made around the 12th century by Nicholas of Verdun, and is composed of 51 gilded copper panels. The enamel work, known as champlevé, involves etching away troughs in the metal, filling them with colored enamel, and then firing the panel at high temperature. But this is not just a masterpiece of metalworking. The Altar is an encyclopedia of medieval thought, comparing the Old and New Testaments. Consider the labor involved: the mining and refining of the copper, the delicate work of enameling, and of course the intellectual labor required to develop such a complex theological argument. This was truly an object of great value, intended for careful looking. Altars such as these played a crucial role in medieval society, where precious materials and specialized skills were invested in the creation of objects that transcended mere functionality. They were, and are, testaments to a culture’s deepest beliefs.