Artwork
Der Apostel Paulus (?)
Der Apostel Paulus (?) is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Liss. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Johann Liss, a German painter who worked in Venice, produced the work titled *Der Apostel Paulus* in 1614. Executed during the early phase of the Italian Baroque, the canvas now belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays an elderly figure with a long white beard and curled hair, dressed in a dark robe. He is seated with his hands resting on an open book, suggesting contemplation or the act of reading, a visual reference to the apostle’s scholarly and missionary role.
Technique & Style
Liss employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts of light and shadow to model the face and illuminate the book. This dramatic lighting creates a three‑dimensional effect typical of Baroque painting, emphasizing emotional intensity and focus on the central figure.
History & Provenance
After its creation in Venice, the painting entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Baroque collection. Its attribution to Liss and dating to 1614 are supported by stylistic analysis and archival records.
Context
The work reflects the broader Baroque interest in dynamic composition and theatrical illumination, trends that Liss absorbed while working in the Venetian artistic milieu. The depiction of an apostolic scholar aligns with Counter‑Reformation demands for clear, didactic religious imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Liss or Jan Lys (c. 1590 or 1597 – 1629 or 1630) was a leading German Baroque painter of the 17th century, active mainly in Venice.
