Who painted Die Hochzeit zu Kana?

Die Hochzeit zu Kana was painted by Hans Rottenhammer in 1606.

Where can I see Die Hochzeit zu Kana?

Die Hochzeit zu Kana is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Die Hochzeit zu Kana?

Die Hochzeit zu Kana is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Die Hochzeit zu Kana

Hans Rottenhammer , 1606

Die Hochzeit zu Kana is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Hans Rottenhammer. It dates from 1606 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Johann Rottenhammer’s 1606 canvas titled *Die Hochzeit zu Kana* presents a bustling banquet scene rendered in the early Baroque idiom. Executed by a German artist who worked within the Italian artistic currents of his time, the work now belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the biblical episode of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle. Central figures include a woman holding a large jug and a kneeling man pouring wine, surrounded by a crowd in festive attire, suggesting the moment of transformation from water to wine.

Technique & Style

Rottenhammer employs chiaroscuro to model the figures and architectural setting, creating a pronounced contrast between illuminated bodies and shadowed interiors. The richly colored, Renaissance-inspired costumes and the classical backdrop of columns and statues reinforce the painting’s blend of Northern detail and Italian Baroque drama.

History & Provenance

Created in 1606, the painting reflects Rottenhammer’s engagement with Italian Baroque trends while maintaining his reputation for meticulous small‑scale works. It entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings during the museum’s early acquisitions, where it remains on display as part of the German Baroque collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hans Rottenhammer

Johann Rottenhammer, or Hans Rottenhammer (1564 – 14 August 1625), was a German painter. He specialized in highly finished paintings on a small scale.