Artwork
Ein Heiliger
Ein Heiliger is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Friedrich Gerhard. It dates from 1721 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1721 by Johann Friedrich Gerhard, this oil painting titled *Ein Heiliger* resides in Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. The work presents a solitary figure rendered against a muted, dark backdrop, emphasizing the subject’s solemn presence. The composition is compact, focusing attention on the individual’s attire, accessories, and direct gaze, which together convey a contemplative atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an older man with a long beard, wearing a hat and dark garments. He holds a book in one hand and a sword in the other, juxtaposing symbols of learning and martial authority. This combination suggests a dual identity—perhaps a cleric with secular power or a learned warrior—inviting viewers to consider the interplay of intellect and force.
Technique & Style
Gerhard employs a restrained palette of deep browns and blacks, allowing subtle tonal variations to model the figure’s face and hands. The brushwork is smooth and controlled, especially in the rendering of the fabric and the gleam of the sword. The limited background detail enhances the three‑dimensionality of the subject, a hallmark of early‑18th‑century German portraiture.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in the early 1720s, the painting has remained in German collections, ultimately entering the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings. Documentation traces its acquisition to the museum’s 19th‑century expansion of Baroque and Rococo works, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s representation of regional portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Friedrich Gerhard (1695–1748) was an artist, born in Middle Franconia.
