Artwork
Joachim's Sacrifice, reverse: Saint Joseph with the Christ Child
Joachim's Sacrifice, reverse: Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Martino Altomonte. It is held in the collection of the Städel Museum.
About this work
Overview
Joachim's Sacrifice, reverse: Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is a religious painting created by Martino Altomonte around 1750, during the Rococo period. The work is now part of the Städel Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a figure, identified as Joachim, kneeling in prayer before a burning altar. His contorted face conveys a mix of pain and devotion, while his upward gaze and open mouth suggest intense spiritual appeal. A halo and staff further characterize the scene's religious nature.
Technique & Style
Altomonte employed chiaroscuro to create dramatic light and dark contrasts, focusing attention on the central figure. This technique, blending Baroque intensity with Rococo's lighter aesthetic, adds depth and emotional intensity to the composition.
History & Provenance
Martino Altomonte (born Johann Martin Hohenberg), an Italian Baroque painter of Austrian descent, primarily worked in Poland and Austria. This piece, dated to circa 1750, reflects his blend of Baroque and Rococo styles.
Context
Created during the Rococo period, the painting's style situates it within the broader European artistic shift towards lighter, more emotive religious themes, distinct from the heavier Baroque traditions.
Legacy
As part of the Städel Museum's collection, the painting contributes to the institution's holdings of 18th-century European religious art, offering insight into the transitional stylistic period in which it was created.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martino Altomonte, born Johann Martin Hohenberg (8 May 1657 – 14 September 1745) was an Italian Baroque painter of Austrian descent who mainly worked in Poland and Austria.
