The search for a new painter
In 1726, an Italian began to paint the palace church in Bruchsal: Antonio Gresta. Yet only a year later, he unexpectedly died. Court intrigues annoyed him to death, or so the story goes. Schönborn was satisfied with Gresta's work, but now a new painter was needed: enter Cosmas Damian Asam (1686–1739). He was famous, in demand, and expensive. From 1728 to 1729, he painted the churches of St. Damian and Hugo, and was paid 5,000 guilders for his work.