HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts Goschentor 1, 31134 Hildesheim, Allemagne
The former monastery church of St Michael in Hildesheim, an UNESCO heritage, underwent extensive modernization with stucco decoration in the second half of the 12th century. 250 stucco fragments from excavations between 1870 and 2006 were subject of a multi-year, interdisciplinary research project. The aim of the conference is to present the project's results for discussion prior to the printing of the final publication, in light of differing opinions within both art history and conservation. The main focus will be on working techniques, polychromy, and analytical results. The findings will invite discussion about our ideas of workshop processes in the Middle Ages.
After the lectures, an afternoon 'market of possibilities' at St Michael's Church will offer the opportunity to view the stucco work and several fragments under a microscope with the guidance of conservators. Experts will also be on hand to provide further insights into the project's results (X-ray fluorescence analysis, 3D documentation) and offer personal insights into the planned monitoring of the World Heritage Site. The speakers will also be available for personal discussions about their findings and interpretations. An easily accessible scaffold will be erected around the choir screen for the conference, allowing you to get up close to the originals.
All lectures will be in German. Simultaneous translation could not be financed. However, we facilitate participation through the so called English Corner, which involves English-speaking neighbours.
More information and registration here: https://hornemann-institut.hawk.de/en/events/conferences/getting-close-w...
Contact: Dr. Angela Weyer, Hornemann Institute of HAWK
Registration deadline: 6 March 2026.
Photo: Dommuseum Hildesheim