Sabina, Rekonstruktion einer Recherche (Reconstructing a Research)

Who was Sabina von Steinbach? If one follows her portrayal on the figure frieze in the staircase of the Old National Gallery in Berlin, she was an important medieval sculptress. However, she probably never existed. Why was she nevertheless, as the only female artist, included in that central frieze of famous personalities at the end of the 19th century? Starting from this question, extensive research began in libraries, archives, museums, churches and other places in Germany and France. Contradictory statements and strange theories from more than four centuries were gathered. The book retraces this search, including misdirections and detours. The idiosyncratic narrative structure challenges reading habits and combines different disciplines: it is visual art, it is a literary narrative, it is serious investigation and undisciplined research. The result is a feminist manifesto for the 21st century that analyses different perspectives with a decidedly subjective approach.