Christian Ackermann

The objective of the project is to rescue from oblivion Christian Ackermann, Estonia’s most scandalous and talented sculptor of the baroque era. Ackermann was a master artist who merits attention not only in Estonia, but also in the entire Baltic region: he has tied and continues to tie local Estonian (art) culture to Western Europe through his life and oeuvre. Ackermann, who even during his own lifetime was referred to as “Tallinn’s Phidias”, in reference to the ancient Greek sculptor, broke out of the rigid guild system that had endured for centuries. All of northern Estonia’s most beautiful retables, pulpits, memorial coats of arms, crucifixes and other ecclesiastical furnishing elements were made in his workshop in 1680–1710.

The results of the completed research can be found in the project’s web-based platform ackermann.ee, which includes interactive 3D models of Ackermann’s carved sculptures, which provide an excellent opportunity for close inspection and comparison of the sculptures; x-rays made in cooperation with specialists from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, through which we can look into the sculptures and analyse the master’s modes of working; material analyses carried out together with natural scientists from the University of Tartu and the Estonian Environmental Research Centre, which reveal the baroque vividness of colour concealed under later coats of paint; and much more. This knowledge helps to describe historical practices in art and to draw more certain conclusions than was hitherto possible concerning Ackermann’s authorship.

The project began on the scaffolding in Tallinn’s Cathedral with an analysis of the sculptor’s masterpiece, the retable of the Swedish era royal cathedral, and continued in 2017 with analyses of Ackermann’s works located in churches in Martna, Karuse, Lihula and Türi, and in Tallinn’s Swedish St. Michael’s Church. The research team will move on to churches in Juuru, Järva-Madise, Rapla, Simuna, Vigala and elsewhere in Estonia where works are found that have been ascribed to Ackermann.

This interdisciplinary research project will culminate in 2020 with a compendious book and exhibition at the Art Museum of Estonia Niguliste Museum and in 2021 pop-up exhibitions in the home churches of Ackermann’s works. In 2021-2022 the analysis of the gathered data and the publication of synthesising academic articles will continue.

Project:

Coordinators of the project:

Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA)
Art Museum of Estonia (EKM)
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELK)

Chief executors:

Prof Hilkka Hiiop
Dr Tiina-Mall Kreem
Dr Anneli Randla
Isabel Aaso-Zahradnikova
Andres Uueni

Executors:

Dr Alar Läänelaid
Dr Riin Rebane
Dr Signe Vahur
Triin Kröönström
Peeter Säre
Johanna Lamp
Merike Kurisoo
Tarmo Saaret

Collaborators:

EELK Council on Cultural Values
EELK congregations
National Heritage Board
Estonian Tax and Customs Board
University of Tartu, Department of Analytical Chemistry
University of Tartu, Department of Geography
Estonian Environmental Research Centre
Estonian Centre of Analytical Chemistry
Tallinn City Archives
Rändmeister OÜ
Archaeovision OÜ
Vatson OÜ
Heritage Conservation Division of Tallinn’s Urban Planning Department

Locales where the project is being carried out:

EELK Episcopal Cathedral in Tallinn
Art Museum of Estonia: Niguliste Museum
EELK Swedish St. Michael’s Church in Tallinn
EELK Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn
EELK rural churches: Karuse, Türi, Rapla, Martna, Simuna, Koeru, Vigala, Hageri, Juuru, Järva-Madise, Lihula and Kullamaa