Hidden with Christ in God: Gregory de Wit OSB at Sankt Ottilien

From 30 November 2025 to 2 February 2026, the Gallery Sankt Ottilien at the Archabbey of Sankt Ottilien will present Hidden with Christ in God: The Life and Art of Gregory de Wit, OSB (1892–1978). Father Cyrill Schäfer, OSB curated the exhibition from works held at Sankt Ottilien and the neighbouring Saint Michael’s Abbey, Metten. Both monasteries were instrumental with the initiation of de Wit into ecclesial art during the interwar years. Though limited to pieces held locally, the selection offers a substantial insight into this complex personality, unconventional monk and intriguing artist.

Coinciding with the exhibition, EOS Verlag will publish Hidden with Christ in God: The Life and Art of Gregory de Wit, OSB (1892–1978), the first comprehensive study of the artist. Its author, Edward Begnaud, is a former Benedictine of Saint Joseph Abbey in Louisiana, where de Wit’s magnum opus is preserved. Before entering monastic life and studying theology, Begnaud earned degrees in music education and interdisciplinary studies for aesthetic education.

Born in the Netherlands and formed at Mont César Abbey in Louvain, de Wit reconciled the restraint of Byzantine and medieval traditions with the exuberance of Baroque and Romantic styles. His largely religious works can be found in monasteries, churches and private collections across Europe and the United States. After essentially living as a gyrovague for 30 years, de Wit retired to a remote Swiss mountain, living out the words of Saint Paul that give the exhibition and book their title.

The Gallery Sankt Ottilien belongs to the Archabbey’s wider collections, which include the Missionsmuseum with its ethnological and natural history displays, along with minerals and monastic artefacts. Visitors can also explore the Abbey church and enjoy the monastery restaurant, beer garden and shop. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission.