Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame: A Journey Through Alsatian Art

The Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, or the Museum of the Work of Our Lady, is dedicated to the fine and decorative arts of the Upper Rhine region from the early Middle Ages until 1681. Housed in a series of charming buildings dating from the 14th and 16th centuries, the museum's architecture itself provides a fitting backdrop to the art within. The museum's collection grew from the historic role of the Œuvre Notre-Dame, an institution founded in the 13th century to oversee the construction and maintenance of the Strasbourg Cathedral. The museum displays masterpieces of medieval sculpture, including original statues from the Cathedral, often moved inside to protect them from the elements. Visitors can also admire architectural drawings, stained glass windows, and paintings by artists such as Peter Hemmel von Andlau, Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden, and Sebastian Stoskopff. A highlight is the Gothic garden, a peaceful haven inspired by medieval gardens with various aromatic herbs and medicinal plants. The chronological layout of the museum allows visitors to explore the evolution of art in Strasbourg and the Upper Rhine, from Romanesque pieces to Renaissance treasures.