The plague mark of Jožef Straub

270 years ago, in March 1756, the late Baroque sculptor Jožef Straub (1712-1756), one of the leading representatives of the Baroque in Slovenia, died in Maribor at the age of forty-four. In 1743, the Maribor City Council entrusted him with the prestigious commission to create Plague sign on the main square.

In cooperation with various cultural institutions in Maribor, the Maribor Regional Unit of the ZVKDS will celebrate the anniversary of the sculptor's death by preparing a scientific and professional monograph. This art-historically exceptional Baroque sculptural composition Plague sign, which is considered to be the most comprehensive work of its kind in Slovenia, has not yet been the subject of an in-depth monographic treatment. The publication will contribute important art-historical, cultural-historical, archival, home-knowledge, conservation and conservation-restoration insights to the city, the citizens, the professional and the general public. We will highlight Straub's life, artistic work, especially The plague sign and his existence over time, presenting the broader cultural and historical circumstances in which the artist lived and worked. The aim is to raise public awareness and promote the importance of heritage and the outstanding masters, artists and personalities from the city's past who have lived, worked and co-created the history and artistic image of Maribor. We will highlight a pioneering monument conservation project, unique in our country at the time, to create a copy of the Plague sign, which has replaced the original in Main Square since 1991.