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Externsteine Relief

The Externsteine relief is a monumental rock relief carved into the sandstone formation of the Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest near Detmold, in present-day North Rhine-Westphalia. Dating to the high medieval period, likely the 12th century, it is considered the oldest relief of its type known north of the Alps. The carving measures 4.8 m high by 3.7 m wide and is divided into three registers. The central scene shows the Descent from the Cross, with Christ, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary, and John the Apostle. The upper and lower registers contain additional symbolic figures, including the ascended Christ, Sun and Moon, and kneeling figures caught by a dragon.

Externsteine Relief carved into a rocky cliff face, showing draped figures around a central cross.
The Externsteine Relief is carved directly into the rock face, with figures gathered around a central cross.
© · Public domain
Externsteine Relief depicting the Deposition from the Cross carved in stone
The Externsteine Relief shows the Deposition from the Cross carved into the rock face.
July 2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Externsteine relief showing figures around a central cross carved into a weathered rock face.
The Externsteine relief depicts several figures around a central cross carved into the stone.
July 2017 © · CC BY 2.0
Soldiers posed on steps below the Externsteine Relief carved into the rock face.
A group of soldiers stands beneath the Externsteine Relief at the rocky cliffside.
© Josef Gierse, my uncle · CC BY 3.0
Medieval line drawing of the Externsteine Relief with stylized figures surrounding a large cross and Cyrillic text below.
A medieval-style illustration of the Externsteine Relief showing stylized figures around a large cross.
© Брокгауз и Ефрон · Public domain

Identification

TitleExternsteine relief
TypeMonumental rock relief

Historical context

DateProbably 1160/70; the dating has long been disputed, with earlier proposals ranging from the early 9th century to the 12th century
PeriodHigh medieval
Historical significanceConsidered the oldest large stone sculpture carved from solid rock north of the Alps

Creator

ArtistUnknown

Discovery and provenance

Carved intoThe side of the Externsteine sandstone formation, at the Turmfels (tower rock)

Location and ownership

Historical locationThe Duchy of Saxony in the Middle Ages
LocationExternsteine, near Detmold, Teutoburg Forest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Physical characteristics

Dimensions4.8 m high, 3.7 m wide
CompositionDivided into three registers

Materials

MaterialSandstone

Appearance

Upper registerThe upper body of Christ, shown with a cross nimbus and victory banner, accompanied by a small figure in his arms and anthropomorphic Sun and Moon figures holding drapes
Central registerThe Descent from the Cross: the cross stands in the center, with Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea assisting, Mary supporting Jesus' head, and John holding a book
Lower registerA naked bearded man and a clothed figure are kneeling and entangled by a two-legged winged dragon

Iconography and meaning

Main subjectThe Deposition from the Cross (Descent from the Cross)
Religious themeChristian Passion imagery, especially the Deposition from the Cross and the Ascension
Interpretation of central supporting formThe form under Nicodemus is variously interpreted as a bent Irminsul, a plant-like form, a chair, or a date palm; the Irminsul reading is mostly rejected
Interpretation of upper registerThe upper figure is usually identified as the risen victorious Christ, though some scholars interpret it as God the Father; the small figure in his arms is variously explained, including as a self-presentation of Christ in the Mass
Interpretation of lower registerThe two figures are variously identified as Adam and Eve, as representatives of fallen humanity, or as a Saxon warrior and a priest
Overall symbolismThe relief has been read as expressing the medieval world order of heaven, earth, and hell

History and restoration

ConditionDamaged; Mary's head and Nicodemus' lower legs are missing, and the lower part is less distinct than the upper part

Significance

SignificanceThe oldest relief of this type known north of the Alps