The Adoration of the Child – Augsburg oil painting on copper

Origin
Southern Germany/ Augsburg
Age
around 1670 – 90
Size
24.5 cm x 21.2 cm
Previous owner
Munich private collection

Description

The heyday of copper painting in southern Germany: Biblical scenes from the Augsburg region in the 17th century

The southern German painting of the 16. and 17th century art, especially from the Augsburg region, experienced a heyday in which religious motifs played a central role in art. Oil painting on copper was a particularly popular medium. Due to the smooth surface of the copper, this technique made it possible to create extremely detailed and colorful works. Augsburg, as an important cultural and ecclesiastical center in southern Germany, played a decisive role in the development and spread of this art form.

The technique: oil on copper

Copper plates provided artists with an excellent basis for painting precise and finely detailed pictures. In contrast to canvas or wood, copper provided a smooth and robust surface that made it possible to depict the smallest details and make colors appear particularly vivid. The longevity of the material made these works particularly attractive to collectors and ecclesiastical patrons.

Popular motifs: Biblical scenes

An outstanding example of the popular themes of this period is the Adoration of the Child with the Magi. This scene, inspired by the Gospel of Matthew, shows the wise men from the East offering their gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. Such representations served to spread Christian doctrine and symbolized the worldwide recognition of Jesus as King and Messiah. In addition to the adoration scene, other biblical stories, such as the crucifixion or the Annunciation to Mary, were often painted on copper.

Augsburg as a center of copper painting

Augsburg was in the 16. and In the 17th century, the city was not only a trading center, but also an important place for art and culture. Numerous artists, including Johann Rottenhammer and Hans von Aachen, were active in Augsburg or had a significant influence on the city’s art scene. These painters brought a mixture of Italian and German stylistic elements into their works and thus created a distinctive artistic tradition.

Southern German oil painting on copper from the Augsburg region was characterized by its technical brilliance and profound religious significance. Biblical scenes, such as the Adoration of the Child, served as an important expression of faith and as aesthetic masterpieces of the time.

To the object

The dimensions of the oil on copper panel are 16.3 cm high x 13.2 cm wide and the dimensions with frame are 24.5 cm high x 21.2 cm wide.
The oil painting on copper is in excellent condition, the gilded stucco frame is decorated with surrounding ornaments, it is probably the frame from the period.

Dating from the second half of the 17th century.

The painting comes from a private collection in Munich.

A rare collector’s item!

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