European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 11, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps Dave Casey the altar is the museum s  altar three masterpieces in one the second opening it is probably reserved for major  de Reavis staff writer there Are several Good reasons for visiting Colmar France there s the Fine cusine the excellent wine the sidewalk cafes and the picturesque old town but there is one reason for visiting Colmar that stanch out among the rest namely the Opportunity to View the famous isenheim altar in the Unte Linden museum the isenheim altar is the prize Possession of a museum full of precious Art. Experts Date its completion to before 1516. The altar is a so called Quot Rentable a a word Den Sod from the latin word for Quot rear  one of the characteristics of a Rentable is that it has a shelf or Diviky or a trame enclosing decorated panels above the by 1 1 in altar. 14 stripes Magazine Jame 11, 1992 position with the crucifixion in the Middle and St. Sebastian at left. The isenheim altar has three viewing phases closed a first opening and a second opening. In the museum the altar has been taken apart so the visitor can View All three aspects. When closed the altar shows the crucifixion with the Virgin Mary St. John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene St. Sebastian and the entombment of Christ its first opening shows the annunciation the incarnation the nativity and the resurrection. The entombment on the closed panel is still in View. The second opening shows the visit of St. Anthony to St. Paul the Hermit the temptation of St. Anthony the sculptured depiction of its. Augustine Anthony Jerome and Christ with the twelve apostles. Art historians claim there is no definite evidence of a it a the various aspects of the altar were displayed. Some suggest the first opening was visible throughout the year he second opening on the occasion of the feast of St. A Hunt and the closed altar during i ent. The altar painting is attributed to gothic artist Matthias Gruenewald and the carvings in the third set Tion to Niklaus Hagenauer. Although the altar makes a Strong impression on modern viewers its effect upon the people it was painted to impress must have been overwhelming. The altar originally Hung in the monastery of isenheim some 1 2 Miles from Colmar. It was Here in 1 i00 that the Antonites established a religious shrine for the relics of St. Anthony the Hermit and a Hospital for treating egotism. Egotism also known As Quot St. Anthony s fire Quot or Quot to Tuy fire a was a Type of poisoning resulting from eating a Rye fungus. It was a serious problem during the Middle Ages frequently resulting in great suffering gangrene limbs and fatal convulsions the hospitals of the order of St. Anthony resorted largely to amputation against the gangrene limbs. They were not usually carried out Fry the friars themselves hut by specialized surgeons. Another treatment was the use of holy wine a Iii h Hud been poured Over the relics of St. Anthony. The isenheim altar painting suggests there were specific herbs with sedative qualities also included in this drink. The experts have pointed out such a painting with its grave almost fatalistic message of human mortality it Ould not have been set before the Good burgers of Colmar. They would t have tolerated it. But for the poor creatures of the Hospital tax have been powerful identification with the suf Lenng Christ on the Cross. I lie artist s rendering of the tormented body and flesh illustrated the patients own physical state of being.  a glorious sight the opened altar must have presented to the c Ond Emried As it promised salvation in Llie afterlife. June 11, 1992 stripes Magazine 1s