Artwork
Hl. Dominikus als Fürbitter bei Maria
Hl. Dominikus als Fürbitter bei Maria is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Evangelist Holzer. It dates from 1731 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1731 by Johann Evangelist Holzer, this oil painting presents a devotional scene centered on Saint Dominic acting as an intercessor before the Virgin Mary. Executed in the light, ornamental manner typical of the Rococo period, the work now belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek.
Subject & Meaning
The composition gathers a group of figures around a central female figure dressed in red and blue, presumed to be the Virgin. Saint Dominic is positioned as a mediator, his gesture suggesting prayer or the reading of a sacred text, while surrounding angels and onlookers direct their attention toward the holy encounter.
Technique & Style
Holzer employs a soft, pastel palette and delicate brushwork that convey the airy elegance of Rococo aesthetics. A darkened background recedes behind the illuminated participants, enhancing spatial depth and focusing the viewer’s eye on the luminous foreground. The dynamic arrangement of figures creates a sense of movement and devotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Born in 1709, Holzer trained under Nikolaus Auer and achieved early recognition, completing his first altarpiece at eighteen. After its creation, the painting entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque and Rococo holdings.
Context
The work reflects the 18th‑century Central European emphasis on Marian devotion and the veneration of saints as intercessors. By portraying Saint Dominic pleading before Mary, Holzer aligns with contemporary Counter‑Reformation iconography that sought to reinforce the intercessory role of holy figures within Catholic worship.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Evangelist Holzer (December 24, 1709 – July 21, 1740) was an Austrian-German painter.
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