Günther Uecker: Condolence book in Schwerin Cathedral - A farewell to art

Günther Uecker: Condolence book in Schwerin Cathedral - A farewell to art

On June 10, 2025, the renowned artist Günther Uecker died at the age of 95. Uecker leaves behind a significant legacy in the art scene that has grown over decades. His death not only made waves in the art world; his works and his work are also highly valued in his home country. On the occasion of his death, a book of condolence will be laid out in Schwerin Cathedral, as ndr.de reports. The book was originally supposed to be available in the state archives, but Pastor Güntzel Schmidt from the Schwerin cathedral community explained that the cathedral was more accessible as a location.

Uecker will not only be remembered for his impressive nail paintings, but also for his latest creative achievement in Schwerin Cathedral. Shortly before his death, he designed four stained glass windows there, the last two of which were inaugurated in December 2024. These windows are not only technical skill, but also his personal tribute to the space and spirituality that the cathedral and the city embody. The new glass panels now allow him to live on posthumously and allow the light to shine into the cathedral, which is seen as a great enrichment.

The new church windows

The glass windows, a total of 130 on around 62 square meters, shine in fascinating shades of blue. They come from Uecker's hand and show his development towards contemporary art. The designs, which Uecker developed on site in June 2017, combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Uecker was personally present at the inauguration and was able to experience the joy of his work first hand. State Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt acknowledged the influence and significance of his art in church services, as [deutschlandfunk.de](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/Schweriner-dom- Feiert-neue-kirchenfenster-des-kuenstlers-guenther-uecker-102.html) notes.

Uecker and art after the war

Uecker's work falls into a special time in German art history. The post-war period was characterized by a rollercoaster of styles and ideas that emerged under different conditions. Until 1945, art was strongly influenced by the political agenda of the Nazis, who suppressed modern and “degenerate” art. After 1945, art in the Federal Republic of Germany found a new freedom and a great diversity, far removed from what was before. In the GDR, however, art was severely limited by control and ideological guidelines, which caused many talented people to leave their homeland or work in secret. Uecker, as one of the most outstanding artists of this time, positioned himself in the freedom of the West and shaped the direction of contemporary art by distancing himself from traditional guidelines, as described on planet-wissen.de.

His legacy will continue to remain alive, not only through his windows in Schwerin Cathedral, but also through the inspiration he gave to future artists. As one of the leading figures in both the post-war period and modern art, Uecker's influence will be anchored in the country's cultural memory.