The Beuronese style began in the 19th century at a Benedictine monastery in the town of Beuron in Germany. Monks trained there later moved to the US and so there are excellent examples of the style in the US, particularly at Conception Abbey in Missouri. It was a reaction against the high naturalism of the period and looked to ancient Egyptian art for its inspiration for an idealized form. This Egyptian influence is more obvious in the original works by Desiderius Lenz, one of the very earliest artists in this style.
These ones were painted by Fr. Bonaventure Ostendarp from St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe, PA, for St. Mary’s Church in McKeesport, PA. When St. Mary’s was closed in the 1990’s, the murals were sold to Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Carnegie, PA. With the congregation of Our Lady of Fatima relocating to a new church, these murals are once again available for purchase. As I look at them, they strike me as less idealized than the classic Beuronese art of say Lenz (having more of a look of illustrations), but nevertheless interesting and worthy of interest.
The common theme is “the Life of the Virgin“ ”. In particular, they depict the Vision of King David and the Prophet Isaias, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the Presentation, the Marriage of the Virgin, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity of Our Lord, the Adoration of the Magi, the Purification, the Flight to Egypt, Christ in the Temple, the Marriage Feast of Cana, the Meeting of Jesus and Mary at Calvary, the Descent of the Holy Ghost, and the Death of the Virgin.
They are all oil on canvas, approximately 82 by 73 inches, including the frames. They are all in good condition. More photos and details are available upon request. The asking price is $150,000 or best offer for the set; shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. Those interested should telephone James Vogel (of Angelus Press in Kansas) on 412-330-9801 or email him: jvogel@angeluspress.org. Let’s hope they end up in good hands!
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