The Wieskirche: Movement, Perception, and Salvation in the Bavarian Rococo

The Wieskirche, a renowned Bavarian Rococo pilgrimage church, offers a unique lens to reexamine the often-overlooked religious architecture of 18th-century Europe. This study challenges contemporary perceptions of rococo design as excessive or lacking in restraint, instead highlighting its sophisticated treatment of interior space and spiritual symbolism. By focusing on the Wieskirche—designed collaboratively by Dominikus Zimmermann (architect) and his brother Johann Baptist Zimmermann (painter and stucco carver)—the research demonstrates how movement, perception, and salvation are intricately woven into its architectural and decorative elements. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from art history, philosophy, and cultural analysis to revisit the Bavarian Rococo church typology, integrating recent scholarship on French rococo while addressing gaps in Anglo-American studies. It argues for a reevaluation of these structures as significant contributors to 18th-century art and aesthetics.

Yonan, M. (2012). The Wieskirche: Movement, Perception, and Salvation in the Bavarian Rococo. Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture, 41(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1353/sec.2012.0003