Artwork
Maria mit dem Kind (?)
Maria mit dem Kind (?) is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Januarius Zick. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1763 by the German painter and architect Johann Rasso Januarius Zick, this oil painting presents a quiet, intimate scene of a woman cradling an infant. Executed during the Rococo phase of the late Baroque, the work now belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it is displayed among other 18th‑century German pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are a cloaked woman and a naked child, traditionally identified as the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. Their composed expressions and the protective hold suggest a devotional focus on maternal tenderness and the divine bond, reflecting the period’s emphasis on personal piety within a modest, contemplative setting.
Technique & Style
Zick employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing deep shadows to envelop the dark robe while a soft light catches the faces, creating a subtle three‑dimensionality. The loose drapery and delicate modeling of flesh align with Rococo’s graceful elegance, yet the overall palette remains muted, underscoring the work’s intimate atmosphere.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Bavarian court before being transferred to the Alte Pinakothek in the early 19th century. Its attribution to Zick, a noted figure in late‑Baroque painting and architecture, has been consistently affirmed by museum documentation and scholarly catalogues.
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.
