Lot 5: Christoph Murer , Zürich 1558 - 1614 Winterthur a roundel with a historical scene from and the arms of thomann of zurich Pen and black ink and gray wash with touches of red-brown wash; horizontal and vertical folds; inscribed, apparently in Murer's

Pen and black ink and gray wash with touches of red-brown wash; horizontal and vertical folds; inscribed, apparently in Murer's hand in brown ink, upper center : Die Lanttlütt brachtend vndern schin / Dem vogtt gutt jar vnd namend ÿme / Das schlos als er zur kÿlchen woltt / Sein selche straf ists hochmuttz soltt ; a tracing of a coat of arms in black ink, verso , and an old attribution: Tobias Stimmer

measurements note 252 by 251 mm

Anton Bruck, Frankfurt-am-Main, circa 1890;
I.O. Wessner (L.2562a);
sale, Zürich, Messikommer, 20-22 November 1922, lot 429, where purchased

This design by Christoph Murer dates from the period after his return to Zürich in 1586 -- but not long after, as the costume of the gentleman to the left would have been thoroughly out of fashion after about 1590. Other designs by Murer dated 1588 have very similar decorative borders to that seen here. The handwriting in the cartouche at the top is similar to that seen in an album amicorum sheet by Murer dated 1583, in Dessau. The subject, which occurs in a number of glass paintings, is the presentation of tributes on New Year's day to the provincial governor; here we see the Obervogt of Landenberg confronting peasants before his fort, Sarnen, which is about to be stormed by others from the village. The subject was appropriate to Murer, as his patron was probably Heinrich Thomann, recorded as Obervogt of Thalwil, Kilchberg and Oberrieden from 1582-1587. Murer was one of the leading Zürich artists of his time. Like his father, Jos Murer (1530-1580), and his younger brother, Josias (1564-1631), he was primarily a glass-painter, but also made prints, and a few paintings. Between 1584 and 1586, Murer worked in Strasburg, where he came into contact with Tobias Stimmer, after which he returned to his native city. See also lot 11.