Artwork

Maria überreicht dem Karmelit Simon Stock das Skapulier

Maria überreicht dem Karmelit Simon Stock das Skapulier, by Johann Ulrich Loth, unspecified, 1632
Maria überreicht dem Karmelit Simon Stock das Skapulier, by Johann Ulrich Loth, unspecified, 1632

Maria überreicht dem Karmelit Simon Stock das Skapulier is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Ulrich Loth. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

This 1632 religious painting by Johann Ulrich Loth, housed at the Alte Pinakothek, depicts a pivotal moment of divine interaction between two central figures, set amidst symbolic and heavenly elements.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the legend of Mary presenting the Scapular to Simon Stock, a Carmelite friar. Mary, in red and gray robes, offers a cloth (Scapular) with a glowing image, likely of Christ, to the kneeling Stock, identifiable by his white Carmelite habit and the skull, symbolizing mortality and contemplation. Surrounding angels with lanterns enhance the sacred ambiance.

Technique & Style

Loth's composition balances earthly and celestial realms. The use of contrasting robes (Mary's red and gray, Stock's white) and the play of light on the Scapular's glowing image against the more subdued tones of the background and the angels' soft, lantern-lit forms, exemplify the Baroque emphasis on chiaroscuro and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1632 by Johann Ulrich Loth, the painting is part of the collection at the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany, reflecting the institution's rich holdings of European religious art from the Baroque period.

Context

The painting's theme resonates with the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on traditional Catholic practices and devotions. The Scapular of Mount Carmel, associated with protection and salvation, was a significant symbol during this period, making the scene relevant to the religious debates and reaffirmations of the time.

Legacy

While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives beyond its religious context, the painting remains a notable example of Baroque religious art, illustrating the period's artistic and theological preoccupations. Its detailed execution and symbolic depth contribute to the Alte Pinakothek's comprehensive display of 17th-century European art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Johann Ulrich Loth

Johann Ulrich Loth (1599–1662) was an artist, born in Munich.