ANNA HEINDL

Mystical Marriage

14 November 2024 to 16 February 2025

Tickets

Anna Heindl, Pink Treasure, 2024, ring, in front of: Master of Heiligenkreuz, Annunciation, 1415-1420, inv. no. 6524, Gemäldegalerie Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Photo: Manfred Wakolbinger)

In the special presentation Mystical Marriage in the Kunstkammer of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, visitors can experience pieces of jewelry by jewelry artist Anna Heindl in a productive dialogue with the work of the Master of Heiligenkreuz.

The diptych The Marriage of St Catherine (around 1400) by the so-called Master of Heiligenkreuz served as a crucial source of inspiration for Anna Heindl's (born 1950) latest creations. In an intensive artistic and research process, Heindl explored the works of the Master. The resulting series of sculptural jewelry is now on display at the Kunstkammer.
Sculptor Manfred Wakolbinger's exhibition design creates a sculptural ‘stage’ for Heindl's artworks. The special presentation is complemented by works from Heindl's earlier thematic areas.

The exciting interplay between contemporary jewellery design and the Gothic sacred painting is a first for the Kunsthistorisches Museum in this form.

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Meister von Heiligenkreuz, Vermählung der heiligen Katharina, 1415-1420 © KHM-Museumsverband

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Meister von Heiligenkreuz, Vermählung der heiligen Katharina, 1415-1420 © KHM-Museumsverband

The Master of Heiligenkreuz

The diptych by the anonymous painter, who was one of Austria's most unconventional and mysterious personalities around 1400, originally came from the Cistercian monastery Stift Heiligenkreuz near Vienna. On the one hand, it depicts the annunciation to Mary, on the other hand the marriage of St Catherine, which gives the special presentation its name. What is remarkable about this panel painting is the almost eccentric style of the figures: with their bulging foreheads and extremely elongated limbs, they reflect the period’s refined ideals of beauty and elegance that were widespread throughout Europe.

Die Vermählung

The unique formal language of this artist, who was given his name after the diptych's place of origin, in particular the strikingly long fingers and the posture of the hands, seemed to the jewellery artist Anna Heindl to be predestined to wear rings. In her further exploration of the painting's content, she developed a deep affection for St Catherine in particular. Catherine is holding a piece of jewellery that symbolises the wheel of her torture. Anna Heindl understands this as a testimony to her standing up for her beliefs. The artist has incorporated this interpretation into the ‘Katharina’ necklace created especially for the presentation.

Many of the jewelry objects on display are inspired by the various figures and themes of the diptych, for example the necklace Opening, the ring Pink Treasure and the bracelet Amethyst Wings.

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Anna Heindl, Amethyst Flügel, 2021, Armband, 14k Rotgold, Amethyste, Edelstahl © Anna Heindl, Foto: Manfred Wakolbinger

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Anna Heindl, Öffnung, 2024, Collier, 14k Rotgold, grüne Turmaline, Edelstahl © Anna Heindl, Foto: Manfred Wakolbinger

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Anna Heindl, Pink Treasure, 2024, Ring, 14k Rotgold, Kobalt Calcite, Edelstahl © Anna Heindl, Foto: Manfred Wakolbinger

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Anna Heindl, Katharina, 2024, Collier, 14k Rotgold, Bergkristalle, Edelstahl © Anna Heindl, Foto: Manfred Wakolbinger

Anna Heindl

Biography

Born 1950 in Upper Austria From
1970 studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna; graduated from the master class for metal design by Franz Hagenauer in 1976.
Internship during her studies with the jewelry artist duo Elisabeth Defner and Helfried Kodre; guest student with Hermann Jünger, Academy of Fine Arts Munich.
Since 1977 her works are exhibited internationally
Multiple collaborations with her husband, metal sculptor Manfred Wakolbinger in installations and interventions

www.annaheindl.at

Artistic Topics

Series such as „Landschaft und Garten,“ „Horizont,“ „Rahmen und Ornament,“ „Paradise“ and „Blumen der Nacht“.
Diverse artistic themes resulting from a dialog between art forms in terms of content and aesthetics.