Artwork
Christus bei Maria und Martha (?)
Christus bei Maria und Martha (?) is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Joachim von Sandrart the Elder. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Joachim von Sandrart the Elder painted this religious work in 1647. The canvas, now part of the Alte Pinakothek collection, presents a domestic interior illuminated by strong contrasts of light and shadow, a hallmark of mid‑seventeenth‑century Baroque painting.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a man and a woman seated at a banquet table, surrounded by a spread of meats, fruit, and bread. A small child kneels nearby, gazing upward. While the title suggests a biblical episode involving Christ with Mary and Martha, the figures are rendered in contemporary dress, inviting contemplation of hospitality and devotion.
Technique & Style
Sandrart employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, allowing the illuminated foreground to emerge from a darkened background. The careful rendering of textures—fabric folds, polished metal, and fruit skins—demonstrates his skill in creating tactile realism within a theatrical composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1647, the painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings during the museum’s early acquisitions of German Baroque art. Its provenance prior to the museum remains undocumented, but the work has been consistently attributed to Sandrart throughout scholarly catalogues.
Context
The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on relatable, everyday depictions of sacred narratives. By placing biblical characters in a familiar banquet setting, Sandrart aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make spiritual themes accessible to a lay audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joachim von Sandrart the Elder
Joachim von Sandrart the Elder (1606–1688) was a German artist, born in Frankfurt.
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