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

This is Johann Michael Leüchte's etching, "Design for a Monumental Altar", conceived as part of a series showcasing newly invented altar designs. Notice how the composition is rigidly symmetrical, anchoring the viewer's gaze at the center. This formal balance, however, is disrupted by the theatrical flourish of Baroque ornamentation, the soaring angels, the clouds and the figures in the upper register. The stark contrast of light and shadow, achieved through fine, precise lines, creates a sense of depth and drama. The checkered floor adds to this, employing perspective to draw the eye further into the sacred space. But what does this structural precision signify? It suggests a desire to reconcile divine inspiration with rational order. This push and pull between emotionality and structure reflects the broader Baroque sensibility, and Leüchte masterfully embodies this through the careful manipulation of form and space. Note how the etching's linear quality invites us to decode the spatial language of power and faith.