For the new Markuskirche, built in 1959, Curth Georg Becker created a total of 12 concrete-and-glass windows, which depict biblical scenes as continuous series of compositions on the north and south walls. The series of windows on the south side depicts, in the direction of reading: the Proclamation of the Gospel, the Calming of the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, the Healing of a Blind Man in Bethsaida, the Feeding of the Four Thousand, and the Grape as a Symbol of the Fruit of Spiritual Life; the sixth panel has no specific theme and is freely designed. The northern window front presents, from left to right: ‘Let there be light’, The Fall of Man, The Birth of Jesus Christ, The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, and The Heavenly Jerusalem.
To visualise religious themes in a contemporary manner, Becker made use of the unconventional design possibilities offered by modern thick-glass techniques, in which – unlike traditional stained glass – coloured shards of glass are used and solid concrete bridges take over the load-bearing function of the lead came. The result is a largely abstract work that derives its meaning and impact solely from the power of free form and pure colour. Individual motifs borrowed from Christian symbolism – such as the sun, a ship, fish, a snake and a dove – maintain a connection to the figurative and aid the interpretation of the scenes.
The expressive dynamism and colour intensity of the window panels form a vivid contrast to the austere interior architecture, characterised by functional simplicity, and lend the unadorned building a dignified, sacred character. Within the artist’s entire body of work, the stained-glass windows of Markuskirche are regarded as his most extensive, significant and progressive work.
Preliminary studies and designs for the concrete-glass windows of Markuskirche are held in the collection of the Singen Kunstmuseum.
Text and editing: Singen Kunstmuseum
