This so-called smoke cloak is a robe worn by priests on feast days. Such textiles are also examined and inventoried by Leonore Maria Pflanzer. ". It is very exciting to see what was created here in the past. © Arndt pröhl
As an art inventor, Leonore Maria Pflanzer has had a lot to do in the parish community of Benediktbeuern, Bichl and Kochel for five years. It inspires them to come into contact with many artists and works of art from past centuries.
Benediktbeuern/Bichl/Kochel am See – "It's very exciting to see what was created here in the past," says Leonore Maria pflanzer. The 40-year-old is herself artistically active as a painter and therefore looks at the objects she deals with from a very special angle. "I try to understand the artist's language," explains Pflanzenr. "What message did he want to leave for posterity? After all, they are all works that have been created with hand and heart."
Pflanzer is responsible for the inventory and digitization of all movable art objects in the parish community of Benediktbeuern, Bichl and Kochel. The spectrum is huge and ranges from the small chalice to the large altarpiece. She works not only in the basilica and in the village churches, but also in the approximately 15 chapels, some of which are privately owned. But also the Mariabrunn place of prayer as well as various wayside shrines and crosses fall into her work area, not to forget plague columns and crosses.
"I have great respect for such monastic work"
Some of what Pflanzer holds in his hands goes back to the 15th/16th century and is often of art-historical value, for example works by Hans Georg Asam (1649-1711). He not only painted the frescoes in the basilica, but also the portraits of 50 abbots. "The paintings belong to the parish and not to the monastery," explains Pflanzenr. Until the monastery was renovated, they hung in the princely wing, and the paintings are currently being restored. "We will find a nice place for them again."
Pflanzer's task is to measure and photograph all movable works of art, document their condition and write a "biography". "It's a bit like a human being," says Pflanzer with a smile. She examines the material and obtains information about the artist and the time of creation. If she has any questions, she turns to conservators, art historians or even sacristan Christian Höck. Documents are also available to planters of deceased padres, for example Karl Mindera and Leo Weber.
Pflanzer also works in the parish office and one day was asked by Pastor Heiner Heim if she could imagine working as an art inventor. "The works of art are very close to Pastor Heim's heart," she says. Their work serves to take stock of future generations and to pass on a lot of information in digitized form. If necessary, Pflanzer can also commission a restoration of individual objects in consultation with the parish priest.
Studied fine arts and Romance languages and literature in Regensburg and Avignon
Pflanzer has lived in Benediktbeuern for nine years. "I was fascinated by the area here, the Blue Land and the Blue Rider," she says, referring to Franz Marc's artists' association. Previously, she had studied fine arts and Romance languages and literature in Regensburg and Avignon. Pflanzer then worked as a curator as well as an art educator and mediator, among others at the Buchheim Museum, the Franz Marc Museum and the Penzberg City Museum. These activities are currently suspended, but she is still occasionally active as a spokesperson. In 2019, for example, Pflanzer moderated and designed the children's audio guide of the Franz Marc Museum.
"Working as an art inventor is a very nice profession," says Pflanzenr. A "great moment" is when she talks to people who look after the chapels and they can tell a lot about the past. But it doesn't all have to be old. During the Corona period, for example, a new altar was carved for the Rieder Chapel. Pflanzer now knows everything about the origins and thoughts of carpenter Franz Bauer. "Something like this is wonderful."
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