From Bishop's Grave to Holy Grave: The Construction of Strasbourg Cathedral's St. Catherine Chapel

The St. Catherine Chapel of Strasbourg Cathedral, erected about 1340-49, has traditionally been accepted as an expression of the religious devotion of its founder, Bishop Berthold II. The incorporation of innovative architectural forms in this chapel situates its construction within a larger context of political tension with the city council and clergy. The initial conception of the monument was crafted in a way that emphasized the episcopal presence, expressed through the use of modem forms (such as star vaults and syncopated fenestration) that challenged the architectural sovereignty of the imposing citizen-supported west front campaign at the cathedral. As the bishop's political situation altered, so did the forms and purpose of his chapel. After a brutal political struggle with the cathedral chapter, Berthold converted his projected tomb into a Holy Grave monument. This introduced into the chapel a program of liturgical Easter sculpture in a sepulchral context, for the benefit of the lay congregation. The new Holy Grave type thus developed must be seen not only in light of its significant formal impact on later sculpture of the region but also as an important tool in the diplomatic exchange between bishop, city, and chapter.