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Fürstenportal tympanum https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCrstenportal_am_Bamberger_Dom
The portal sculptures at Bamberg Cathedral serve to emphasize Henry II and Kunigunde's role as founders. They are also the most representative version of the lively and dynamic sculptures found in Germany. The contorted expressions of the Fürtenportal tympanum will excite you and the refined grace of the Adamspforte jamb figures will inspire you as you enter the cathedral. Come see the work of the masters from Reims right in Germany!
Detail of Fürstenportal tympanum http://picssr.com/tags/f%C3%BCrstenportal
The Fürstenportal was used primarily only by clergy members. Since a bishop and a pope are seen on the side of the damned, this tympanum would have served as a powerful warning to those entering through the portal.
The portal containing the Last Judgement scene (ca. 1230), called the Fürstenportal, was mostly only used for grand processions. The layout is simple, with the damned to Christ's left and the saved to his right. John the Baptist and Mary kneel at Christ's feet. On the side of the damned, a demon leads a king, a bishop, a pope, and possibly a Jew to hell.
The most interesting feature of the tympanum is the expression given to the figures. The faces of the damned grimace disturbingly in reaction to their fate of eternal hell while the saved smile almost smugly upon discovery of their salvation. Bamberg Cathedral is the perfect representation of a German cathedral because of this lively sculpture. Strasbourg Cathedral and Naumburg Cathedral also have expressive sculpture, but none can top the sculptures seen at Bamberg.
The Marienpforte shows the Virgin enthroned with Christ on her lap. To her right are the founders of the cathedral, Henry II and Empress Kunigunde. To Mary's left are Saints Peter and George.
The figures on the two outer sides are Bishop Ekbert, who controlled the last rebuilding, and provost Poppo of Andechs. The tiny figure under the Virgin could by Duke Otto VII, a possible donor of the portal.
Jamb figures from Adamspforte: St. Stephen, Kunigunde, Henry II http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA292/English/UNK1981/19161115p01.html
Jamb figures from Adamspforte: St. Peter, Adam, Eve http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA292/English/UNK1981/19161115p01.html
The Adamspforte served as the main entrance to the cathedral. It has no tympanum sculpture, but it does have very beautifully sculpted jamb figures by the Reims workshop. The original sculptures are kept in a museum; the ones you see here are the reproductions. On the left side, we have St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Kunigunde, and Henry II. On the right side are St. Peter, Adam, and Eve.
This sculptural program is somewhat confusing and could be interpreted in many ways. Saint Peter looks over to Henry almost expectantly, and Kunigunde holds a model of the cathedral in her hand. This could mean that god has called them to start the new bishopric. The program could also be interpreted as showing figures of "firsts". The first humans, the first Pope,the first Christian martyr, and Henry and Kunigunde are the first establishers of the magnificent cathedral. They have been put in line with these other monumental figures in Christian history because of the role they had in founding Germany's premier cathedral.
Bailey McCulloch // Bibliography
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