Author: Wilhelm Neumann (1849–1919)
The wood carvings were made by Robert Heusermann’s company, the figures of the evangelists after sketch of August Volz (1851–1926) were carved by Karl Sahlefeldt.
Date: 1896.
Technique: cut, coloring
Material: wood, lacquer
Renewal: In 1990, it was restored in the memorial house of the sculptor Kārlis Zāle (1888–1942) on Satekles Street, and a year later it was installed in the church.
At all times, people have turned to God in prayer and made altars for it. In the Christian church, the altar is created to celebrate the holy communion and pray God. The sacrament is established by Jesus Christ and He himself is present in it. The altar in the church reminds us of God’s continued presence.
Riga Cathedral has had several altars at different times. Today’s main altar is made according to the project of art historian and Cathedral`s conservation manager Wilhelm Neumann (1849–1919). The installation of the new altar of Riga Cathedral began on November 25, 1896. The altar was consecrated on the fourth Advent Sunday of 1896.
The altar matched to the medieval interior is decorated in Gothic forms, it is small, so as not to obscure the stained glass windows of the choir and not to interfere with the perception of the architectural environment.
The altar table is supported by four neo-gothic columns. In the center of the retable is a crucifix in an ornamental mandorla. The altar is crowned by a wimperg. There are four evangelists in the side niches, two on each side.
After the Soviet occupation, the Riga Cathedral was secularized on May 26, 1959, and the altar was transferred to the Rundale Palace Museum. In 1989, it was returned to the Cathedral