Artwork
Petrus und Johannes heilen den Lahmgeborenen im Tempel
Petrus und Johannes heilen den Lahmgeborenen im Tempel is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Januarius Zick. It dates from 1752 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1752 by German painter and architect Januarius Zick, this oil work portrays a biblical episode in which the apostles Peter and John cure a crippled individual within a temple setting. The canvas belongs to the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum and exemplifies Zick’s activity during the Late‑Baroque period.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the New Testament narrative of Peter and John restoring the mobility of a lame man, a miracle traditionally associated with the early Christian community. By placing the healing inside a temple, the scene emphasizes the continuity between Jewish worship spaces and the emerging Christian faith, underscoring themes of compassion and divine intervention.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Rococo idiom that succeeded the High Baroque, the painting features a light palette, graceful figures, and ornamental detailing. Zick’s handling of brushwork conveys a sense of movement and delicacy, while the architectural elements in the background display his dual expertise as both painter and architect.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the work entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader 18th‑century collection strategy, aimed at representing the artistic developments of Central Europe during the Late‑Baroque and Rococo eras.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Rasso Januarius Zick (6 February 1730 – 14 November 1797) was a German painter and architect. He is considered to be one of the main masters of the Late-Baroque.
