Discover the mystery of eight American turkeys adorning Schleswig's Cathedral of St Peter, painted centuries before Columbus's voyage. Explore the cathedral's rich history and the controversies surrounding the restoration of its Gothic frescoes. Delve into the troubled legacy of artist Lothar Malskat, who pushed back against Nazi-era manipulation while grappling with the consequences of artistic forgery. This fascinating tale weaves together art, history, and the unexpected absurdities of cultural narratives.
The presence of turkeys painted on a medieval fresco in Schleswig's Cathedral fueled a nationalist narrative in Nazi Germany, suggesting Germans had discovered America before Columbus.
The restoration of Gothic frescoes in the Marian Kiesher church by Lothar Malscat and Professor Ernst Fay created a blend of medieval and modern art, rewriting art history and deceiving powerful institutions.
Deep dives
The Power of Networking
Lothar Malscat, a struggling artist, eagerly accepted a job as an assistant to Professor Ernst Fay, a renowned art restorer in Nazi Germany. Fay's connections to powerful individuals like Hermann Goering gave him credibility and success. Malscat, however, felt overshadowed and unrecognized for his contribution to the restoration work.
The Turkeys of Schleswig
While restoring the schleswig Cathedral, Malscat inadvertently painted eight turkeys in a biblical fresco, which depicted events pre-dating Columbus reaching America. The presence of turkeys sparked nationalistic pride in Nazi Germany, supporting the narrative that Germans had discovered America before Columbus. Malscat's art was hailed as a testament to German superiority, despite the anachronism.
The Miraculous Restoration
The bombing of Lubeck during WWII revealed hidden Gothic frescoes in the Marian Kiesher church. Malscat and Fay were assigned to restore the murals, but instead of conserving the originals, they painted new murals freehand, creating a fascinating blend of medieval and modern art. The restoration became a national sensation and was hailed as a miracle, rewriting art history.
Unmasking the Deception
Malscat grew frustrated with being unrecognized for his work and took extreme measures to expose the truth. He made a confession, sued himself for forgery, and documented the restoration process with photographs, providing irrefutable evidence of the deception. The trial that followed revealed the complicity of powerful institutions and individuals who enabled and perpetuated the forgery.
There are eight American turkeys painted on the walls of Schleswig's Cathedral of St Peter - which is odd... since the frescoes were created two centuries before Columbus even crossed the Atlantic.
How did the creatures come to be added to the medieval Biblical scene? Was this proof that the Germans reached the Americas before Columbus? Or do the painted birds tell a different story all together?
For a full list of sources used in this episode visit Tim Harford.com