Provenance

Oettingen-Wallerstein Collection

German

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Four women, six men, and seven babies and children are gathered in three rows in this freestanding, painted wooden sculpture. The people all have pale, peachy skin with rosy cheeks, round faces with double chins, and thin, curving brows under high foreheads. They mostly wear gold robes over garments in gray, dark blue, plum purple, spruce green, or red. The four women sit hip-to-hip across the middle of the grouping. The two center women angle slightly in toward each other. To our left in that pair, Mary holds a nude baby Jesus on her lap. Mary’s long, loose, light brown hair is held back with a twisted band. The chubby Jesus on her lap reaches for the woman to our right, Saint Anne, who wears a voluminous wimple that covers her face, chin, neck, and shoulders. The women to either side of the central pair hold books, one open and one closed, and wear turban-like headdresses over long, wavy hair. Six children play together in two groups at the women’s feet. Some are nude and others wear dark or gold robes. A pair eat grapes to our left. The right-most child rides a hobby horse and holds onto the hand of the woman behind him with his tiny hand. In the top row, a man stands behind each of the four women except for Saint Anne, who has three men standing over her shoulder. Two of the six men are cleanshaven, and the others have beards. Some are bareheaded and others wear turbans or a cap. Their faces are lined, and they look down or off into the distance, most under furrowed brows. The gold on the robes is tooled to create patterns.
South German 15th Century, Swabian 15th Century, Franconian 15th Century, The Holy Kinship, c. 1480/1490, polychromed wood, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2002.13.1

The Holy Kinship

South German 15th Century, Swabian 15th Century, Franconian 15th Century · c. 1480/1490 · polychromed wood ·  Accession ID  2002.13.1

The image displays a cave scene with towering rock formations and figures navigating the landscape. The horizon is obscured by the cave ceiling. The composition leads the eye deeper into the cavern with high, arching rock structures. Detailed lines and shading create texture and scale, with varied tones for depth and shadow. The color palette is muted with grays and browns. Figures and pack animals traverse rugged terrain, providing scale to the cave environment. In the distance, archways, pillars, and a play of light and shadow are visible.
Johann Peter Pichler, Travelers Resting in Gigantic Caverns, c. 1800, mezzotint on wove paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.640

Travelers Resting in Gigantic Caverns

Johann Peter Pichler · c. 1800 · mezzotint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.640

This is a drawing of an armored angel with wings overpowering demonic entities. The image features a winged figure standing triumphantly with one foot on top of monstrous beings. The angel wears ornate armor, holds a spear and a raised sword, and has a flowing cloak. The scene is detailed, with intricate designs on the angel's attire and grotesque features on the defeated creatures. The composition conveys a theme of divine victory over evil, with the commanding angelic figure dominating the chaotic forms below.
Master E.S., Saint Michael Defeating the Devils, 1467, engraving on laid paper, Gift of The Artemis Group, 1997.89.5

Saint Michael Defeating the Devils

Master E.S. · 1467 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1997.89.5

This is a painting of a group of figures engaged in a religious gathering. The figures wear robes and haloes, and are arranged closely together. Some are seated while others are standing, engaging in activities like reading and playing musical instruments. Above them, a divine figure observes from an opening in the clouds. The color scheme is warm and earthy, with reds, greens, and browns predominating. The style is reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts or early religious woodcuts.
German 15th Century, The Death of the Virgin, c. 1460, woodcut, hand-colored in carmine, brown, green, and ochre, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.520

The Death of the Virgin

German 15th Century · c. 1460 · woodcut, hand-colored in carmine, brown, green, and ochre ·  Accession ID  1943.3.520

The image contains a group of people from head to toe. In the center, there is a figure wearing a crown of thorns with a red and yellow halo. This figure is partially clothed with a red robe, standing under a structure, and has visible marks on the skin. Surrounding them are several other standing figures. The person to the right of the central figure is dressed in green garments and wearing a turban. The others in the group are dressed in robes of varying colors such as blue, pink, and yellow, some with head coverings. The background includes architectural elements, like an arched canopy and patterned flooring beneath the central figure, with a plain background behind the other people.
German 15th Century, Ecce Homo [verso], c. 1440/1450, woodcut, hand-colored in lavender, rose, green, yellow, brown, blue, and red on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.858.b

Ecce Homo [verso]

German 15th Century · c. 1440/1450 · woodcut, hand-colored in lavender, rose, green, yellow, brown, blue, and red on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.858.b

The image shows various people within an architectural setting. One central figure has a halo, wearing a long robe with long hair and a beard. Five other individuals surround this central figure; one person in pink is seated on a decorated platform washing their hands in a basin, helped by another person in green. The remaining figures wear brightly colored garments and hats, standing behind the central figure. The background features an arched structure and patterned flooring.
German 15th Century, Pilate Washing His Hands [recto], c. 1440/1450, woodcut, hand-colored in lavender, rose, green, yellow, brown, blue, and red on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.858.a

Pilate Washing His Hands [recto]

German 15th Century · c. 1440/1450 · woodcut, hand-colored in lavender, rose, green, yellow, brown, blue, and red on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.858.a

The image shows an interior view of a cavernous space with towering rock formations arching overhead in a series of vaults. The perspective leads towards the depths of the cavern where the rock formations extend. There is no visible horizon as the scene is dominated by the intricate cave ceiling and the interplay of light and shadow. A group of figures in historical attire are near a rocky outcrop, giving a sense of human scale against the natural architecture. The brushstrokes are detailed, emphasizing the texture of the rock surfaces and vegetation. The color palette is subdued, with shades of brown and grey enhancing the dramatic atmosphere. Light filters through openings, casting a soft glow that contrasts with the shadows, adding depth to the composition.
Johann Peter Pichler, Travelers in Gigantic Caverns, c. 1800, mezzotint on wove paper, proof before caption, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.639

Travelers in Gigantic Caverns

Johann Peter Pichler · c. 1800 · mezzotint on wove paper, proof before caption ·  Accession ID  2012.92.639

This is a painting of a textured and aged abstract composition. The image features a rectangular shape filled with intricate patterns. The edges of the piece are bordered with repetitive linear design elements. The dominant color scheme consists of shades of brown, black, and off-white. The painting's surface appears worn, akin to ancient artwork or an artifact. The style suggests an abstract representation.
German 15th Century, The Flagellation of Christ, probably 1480s, paste print on laid paper, Gift of The Artemis Group, 1997.89.3

The Flagellation of Christ

German 15th Century · probably 1480s · paste print on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1997.89.3

The image shows two figures, an adult and a child. The adult is seated and leans forward, reaching towards the child. The adult has sharp facial features, styled hair, and is draped in flowing garments. The child is depicted from the back, seated with one leg raised, wearing minimal clothing. The adult's hand supports the child's back in a tender manner. The background is simple, emphasizing the figures, with shading for depth. The scene is rendered in a sketch-like style with cross-hatching and shading.
Joseph Heintz the Elder, The Toilet of Venus, c. 1590, pen and ink over red and black chalk with wash and heightening on laid paper, Director's Discretionary Fund, 2000.65.2

The Toilet of Venus

Joseph Heintz the Elder · c. 1590 · pen and ink over red and black chalk with wash and heightening on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2000.65.2

This is a painting of an urban scene with architectural structures and figures interacting. The artwork depicts a cityscape with ancient-looking buildings in the background, characterized by varied roof shapes, towers, and domes with red and green hues. In the foreground, there are several figures in vibrant colored attire, centered around a mounted figure on a donkey. The buildings have detailed windows and stonework, suggesting a medieval or early Renaissance context. The style is reminiscent of early religious or historical paintings akin to illuminated manuscripts or iconographic depictions from the Middle Ages.
German 15th Century, Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, probably 1450, woodcut in light brown, hand-colored in red lake, green, black, tan, orange, and yellow, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.460

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem

German 15th Century · probably 1450 · woodcut in light brown, hand-colored in red lake, green, black, tan, orange, and yellow ·  Accession ID  1943.3.460

Bibliography

1921

  • Ref Number: 2715a
    Lugt, Frits. Les marques de collections de dessins & d'estampes; marques estampillees et ecrites de collections. Amsterdam: Vereenigde drukkerijen, 1921.