13 November 2024

Art & Jewelry presented in the Kunsthistorisches Museum's Kunstkammer: Jewelry by the artist Anna Heindl in dialogue with a 15th-century work by the anonymous 'Master of Heiligenkreuz'

In times when jewelry is becoming more and more uniform like the design of cars or sneakers and thus boring in its lack of uniqueness, a look at the work of jewelry artists is a refreshing break from the monotony. In Vienna, there are several places where you can find art jewelry, such as Galerie V&V, where Fashion.at attended an exhibition opening this summer (article), or Galerie Slavik on Himmelpfortgasse in Vienna, where artists such as Anna Heindl are represented.

Recently, Fashion.at received the information that the works of the Austrian jewelry artist Anna Heindl will be exhibited at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna starting tomorrow, November 14th. The exhibition 'Mystical Marriage' evolved from the approach of Anna Heindl, a graduate of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and an award-winning creator of sculptural jewelry, to explore cultural themes. Her latest series, Die Vermählung (The Marriage), will be on view in the Kunsthistorisches Museum's Kunstkammer from November 14, 2024 to February 16, 2025. The series is deeply inspired by the 15th-century diptych 'The Marriage of Saint Catherine' by the enigmatic Austrian 'Master of Heiligenkreuz'.

In her creative exploration, Heindl delves into the symbolism of St. Catherine incorporated into the artwork to create pieces such as the 'Catherine' necklace, which reflects the saint's conviction through a symbolic wheel - a reference to her martyrdom. The dramatic Gothic details of the diptych, such as elongated fingers and stylized gestures, are also expressed in rings and pendants that harmonize with the imagery of the painting.

Heindl's creations are presented alongside the original diptych, allowing for a direct dialogue between her modern interpretations and the Gothic masterpiece. Manfred Wakolbinger, a metal sculptor and frequent collaborator, designed the exhibition space, creating a stage for Heindl's art to intertwine with the story, which also includes other saints on view in the artwork, such as Saint Barbara, who, according to legend, found refuge in a mountain crevice. This special presentation includes not only pieces inspired by the artwork of the Master of Heiligenkreuz, but also selected works from her earlier themes, such as 'Garden of Earthly Delights'.

Pictures and more information about the Master of Heiligenkreuz are published at khm.at.

Image: The picture shows the ring 'Hidden' (2024) by jewelry artist Anna Heindl on a pillar - exhibition design by sculptor Manfred Wakolbinger - in front of the diptych 'The Marriage of Saint Catherine', 1415-1420, in the exhibition 'Mystical Marriage' (November 14, 2024 - February 16, 2025) at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Paintings Gallery. At the top right, Saint Barbara with her attribute, the tower. © Anna Heindl, Photo: Manfred Wakolbinger.