On the ground floor of the MK&G a project offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of museum work: The exhibition showcases the complex restoration of the miniature ensemble “The Four Seasons” by Zittau goldsmith Christoph Ertel (1670–1719) – a magnificent example of Baroque treasure art. In a compact and vivid format, the cabinet exhibition conveys key stages of the research project: from Ertel’s masterful craftsmanship and the intricate construction of the objects to the remarkable diversity of materials used. Research has shown that up to 20 different materials were employed in the ensemble – including painted ivory, gilded and enamelled silver, glass, pearls, and precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and jasper. Additional findings and a selection of goldsmith’s tools further illustrate the uniqueness of Christoph Ertel’s “Four Seasons”.

The research on Ertel’s “Four Seasons” at MK&G was conducted in cooperation with the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Hamburg.

The restoration project is supported by the Rudolf-August Oetker Foundation.