The central portal of the Riga Castle yard gate is again decorated with reliefs of Madonna and Plettenberg

• 
• 

On June 16, the media representatives and those involved in the process of preserving the historic reliefs met each other on the site in order to see the preserved and anew shaped reliefs of the late gothic period. The event was participated by chair of board of SJSC ‘State Real Estate’ (VNĪ) Mr. Mārtiņš Tols, president of the Latvian Science Academy (LZA) Mr. Ojārs Spārītis, historian of the Latvian Art Mr. Imants Lancmanis, sculptor Mr. Edvīns Krūmiņš, project author Mr. Artūrs Lapiņš, and RERE MEISTARI restoration project manager Mrs. Elga Zariņa.

The late gothic reliefs of the Riga Castle – ‘Madonna with a child’ and ‘Master Wolter von Plettenberg’ that are art monuments of the state significance and the oldest monuments of the medieval sculpture in Latvia – were removed in the spring 2015 for scientific research and conservation to ensure their further display in the Latvian National History Museum. Instead the copies of the historic reliefs have been installed. They were produced following careful study of the originals, removal of numerous layers of centennial stratum as well as analysis of the copies that had been made by Wilhelm Neumann more than 100 years ago and are now situated at   the Cross Gallery of the Riga Dom.

In 2015, while conducting research of the historic reliefs, rapidly progressing degradation was established that imperiled further existence of the reliefs at their location. The research results were submitted to the State Inspection for Heritage Protection where the Council of Art Object Restoration Experts took a decision regarding the most appropriate method for preservation of the reliefs.

Art historian, president of LZA, chairperson of the Riga Castle Renovation Council Mr. Ojārs Spārītis: ‘The both original stone sculptures are prominent pieces of the late gothic sculpture the importance of which in the culture history of the Baltic States is enormous. The Virgin (or Madonna with a child) and Wolter von Plettenberg represent two symbols of Christianization in Prussia and Livonia – the images of the spiritual and the secular rulers. The territories of both the contemporary Northeastern Poland, namely the ancient Prussia, and Livonia or the lands of the contemporary Latvia and Estonia were conquered and Christianized in the name of the Virgin by naming the territories ‘The Land of Mary’ or Terra Mariana. Whereas Wolter von Plettenberg was a historic person during the period of changes allowed by his destiny to become a secular ruler with political means ended the medieval economic and spiritual life in our territory and by the means of Reformation ushered in the New Ages.’

According to the history records, the figurine of Wolter von Plettenberg was shaped and installed in around 1515 but the St Maria may have been even more ancient even though it was immured into the castle niche at the same as the master. The figurine of Plettenberg at the Riga Castle is the only depiction, actually the portrait of the Master of the Order that has survived by our days.
Nowadays, after the break of 500 years, the central portal of the Riga Castle yard gate is again decorated with reliefs of Madonna and Plettenberg that have been renovated in the historic coloring and are to regale and inspire the State President, the politicians and foreign guests for next 500 years!

And owing to the RERE MEISTARI professional restorer Mrs. Elga Zariņa and entire restorers team, these figurative reliefs have regained their historic coloring.