Ekkehard and Uta
Few medieval sculptures have been discussed so intensively and from such different viewpoints as the founder figures in the west choir of Naumburg Cathedral. The questions focus on - apart from the artistic composition of the figures and their position within art history - on details of the representation, on the event and location represented. Ekkehard and Uta have a privileged position within the group of the twelve founder figures. They are the best-known and they display characteristics and details that are memorable to the viewer, for example the way Uta holds her coat, or the arrangement of two differently marked people. They are identified as count Ekkehard II. of Meissen and Uta of Ballenstedt, and thereby offer a good chance of decoding the assembly of figures. A substantial role is attributed to the count with the transfer of the episcopal see from Zeitz to Naumburg in 1028. The citizens of Zeitz tried to undo this transfer for more than 200 years, that is up to the time of the new cathedral of Naumburg and the creation of the founder figures. But the citizens of Zeitz were not successful. The episcopal see remained in Naumburg. Ekkehard, his wife and further members of the family were - because of the transfer to Naumburg - often mentioned during prayers for the dead in Naumburg. They were called „primi fundatori“. Visualising this liturgical remembrance is nowhere as fitting than near the location of original graves. The spcial place of the founder figure among the group fo statues is a fitting tribute to Ekkehard’s role.