Artwork
Christus bei Maria und Martha
Christus bei Maria und Martha is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Francken III. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Frans Francken III, a fourth‑generation member of the Flemish Francken dynasty, painted *Christus bei Maria und Martha* in 1637. The work exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style and is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a domestic interior where Christ, seated with a halo, engages in dialogue with a standing woman holding a cloth, while another woman kneels nearby. The scene references the biblical episode of Martha and Mary, emphasizing themes of hospitality and spiritual attentiveness.
Technique & Style
Francken renders the figures with meticulous detail, employing chiaroscuro to model forms and create a sense of depth. The textures of fabric, fruit, and metal objects are portrayed with a realistic precision that underscores the Baroque interest in tangible, everyday materiality.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the early 17th century, the painting has remained in the European art market before entering the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it is displayed among other Flemish Baroque works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frans Francken III (1607–1667) was a Flemish Baroque painter and the best known member of the fourth generation of the Francken family of artists.
