At the Salzburg Cathedral Museum, the “LebensKunst” exhibition celebrates the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis through the work of the Franciscan family: the exhibition features 100 historical artifacts and a “living” exhibition brought to life by 81 volunteers from the Franciscan family (including 7 Capuchins) from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The Salzburg Cathedral Museum is hosting a major exhibition organized to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, which will run from May 24 to November 2, 2026. The exhibition, originally titled “LebensKunst” (The Art of Living), aims to explore the major themes addressed by the Saint of Assisi, which have shaped the Franciscan Order in countless ways over the course of eight centuries.
The Origins of the Project
The initiative was launched at the instigation of the Franziskanische Forschung (Franciscan Research) Association in Münster. The last major Franciscan exhibition organized in collaboration with this organization took place in 2011–2012 at the Diocesan Museum in Paderborn.
About three years ago, the idea for a new exhibition was proposed to the Duomo Museum through the collaboration of the Archbishop of Salzburg, Franz Lackner OFM. The main themes and the title of the exhibition, “The Art of Living,” were then developed during a series of working meetings with representatives of the Franciscan Orders of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, drawing on the major themes articulated by Francis of Assisi that have shaped the life of the Order for eight centuries.
The Path of the Exhibition
The exhibition features over 100 artifacts, including works of art, manuscripts, prints, and everyday objects, on loan from approximately 40 different institutions in the German-speaking world (primarily monasteries, but also public museums and private collections). Among the most notable items are the sandals of the Blessed Capuchin Marco d’Aviano.
The exhibition begins in Room 1 with a profound reflection on the legacy of St. Francis: a way of life that has made him immortal far beyond the boundaries of the Church. For the Franciscans, life and art have always been closely linked: on the one hand, they cultivated an “art of everyday life” and of simplicity (the art of living without material needs); on the other, when art touched upon the sacred or involved benefactors, precious materials were also used. The exhibition illustrates both of these aspects, aiming to inspire visitors through the “art of a life well-lived” of the Poverello of Assisi.
A “Live” Welcome and a Meeting Place
Visitors will be able to easily recognize these volunteers by their religious habits or Third Order attire, as well as by special name tags bearing the motto “Any more questions…?” To facilitate dialogue, a special “meeting corner” (Ansprech-Ecke) has been set up within the exhibition space, where volunteers are available to engage with the public.
As previously mentioned, the project was developed by the Salzburg Cathedral Museum in close collaboration with the Center for Franciscan Research (Fachstelle Franziskanische Forschung). The Fachstelle Franziskanische Forschung (FFF) is a nonprofit association based in Münster, founded in 2007 on the initiative of the Capuchins, Friars Minor, and Conventuals with the goal of supporting, networking, and advancing the long tradition of scholarship and research within Franciscan communities in a contemporary context. The organization also promotes young researchers and develops projects on its own or in partnership with academic and non-academic institutions, both nationally and internationally.
For more information about the exhibition, please visit the DomQuartier website: https://www.domquartier.at/presseaussendungen/lebenskunst-800-jahre-franz-von-assisi/