Design for a Monumental Altar, Plate d from 'Unterschiedliche Neu Inventierte Altäre mit darzu gehörigen Profillen u. Grundrißen.' 1745 - 1755

Georg Gottfried Winckler created this design for a monumental altar, as part of a series of newly invented altars with profiles and ground plans. In this period, the design of religious structures was deeply intertwined with expressions of power and identity. The altar, traditionally a site of reverence, is here reimagined as a stage for a divine narrative, reinforcing the church's role in mediating the relationship between the earthly and the celestial. Consider how the altar’s design uses gendered representations of virtue and power, with female figures symbolizing justice and strength. These representations offered a carefully constructed view of societal order. The emotional impact of such designs, with their soaring heights and symbolic imagery, was intended to inspire awe and devotion. Winckler’s design both adheres to and expands upon traditional representations, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of faith, power, and artistic expression.