Artwork
Coronation of the Virgin
Coronation of the Virgin is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1713 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Adriaen van der Werff’s *Coronation of the Virgin* (1713) is an oil on canvas that presents the Virgin Mary being crowned in a celestial setting. The composition centers on a kneeling Mary, robed in soft blues and pinks, surrounded by a host of angels and cherubs, all illuminated by a warm golden glow against a darkened sky.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the traditional Christian motif of Mary’s coronation, symbolizing her exalted status as Queen of Heaven. By placing her on a cloud and surrounding her with radiant angels, van der Werff emphasizes divine approval and the spiritual serenity associated with Marian devotion, inviting contemplation of her role in salvation history.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Rococo idiom, the painting employs delicate pastel tones and graceful figures, characteristic of van der Werff’s refined approach. Subtle chiaroscuro creates a gentle contrast between the luminous clouds and the shadowed background, while the smooth brushwork and careful modeling give the scene an almost tactile softness.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1713, the canvas entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on display. Van der Werff, a Dutch artist noted for portraiture and mythological subjects, also worked for patrons such as the Medici family; his brother Pieter assisted him as a pupil and studio collaborator.
Context
The painting reflects the late Baroque transition toward Rococo, a period when religious subjects were rendered with lighter palettes and ornamental elegance. Van der Werff’s treatment of the coronation aligns with contemporary tastes for graceful, idealized figures, while still adhering to the devotional conventions of Catholic iconography.
Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van der Werff (21 January 1659 – 12 November 1722) was a Dutch painter of portraits and erotic, devotional and mythological scenes.
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Self-portrait with the Portrait of his Wife, Margaretha van Rees, and their Daughter Maria
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