Everyone knows the Unterlinden museum in Colmar, bi de Domikànerinne, in the former Dominican convent of Unterlinden (“under the lime trees” literally). World famous for housing the Renaissance masterpiece that is the altarpiece painted by Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516 for the commandery of the Antonins of Issenheim, which became the world famous Altarpiece of Issenheim.
Altarpiece whose restoration has just been completed. After 4 and a half years of work, it was necessary to remove 5 centuries of varnish, natural or just the patina of time, to find all the details, for example Marie-Madeleine’s hair, which had completely disappeared. It’s precise, vivid, and quite surprising if you saw the Issenheim Altarpiece a few years ago.
It’s beautiful, it’s true. But don’t just stop at the Altarpiece of the Ardents, as it is also sometimes called. Looks like there’s only one in the museum! But no !
There are 9 others to see, they are in rooms adjoining the superb cloister, a little set back. Verfahle is net. Do not miss them, if you are already at the Unterlinden Museum. These altarpieces are also magnificently sculpted or painted, sometimes even both, and I’m not talking about the sculptures, on stone or on wood, polychrome reliefs which have nothing to envy to 3D films. And you, dear inhabitants of Colmar, how long have you been gone?
Well here it is! But that counts for all Alsatians. There are 7,000 years of history in this museum, but my favorite part remains this period of altarpieces, the know-how of artists, craftsmen, the two sometimes merge, masters from the Rhine Valley often remained anonymous who make of the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, a veritable showcase of Rhineland art in France from the 15th and 16th centuries, during which the Upper Rhine experienced a veritable Golden Age. And all that is to be seen in Colmar. The official inauguration of the renovated Isenheim Altarpiece is scheduled for June 30.