Lot 275: Johann Michael Rottmayr (Laufen/Bavaria 1654 - 1730 Vienna)

Maria Magdalena / Mary Magdalene, oil on canvas, prima tela / undoubled original canvas, 110 x 93 cm, unframed, (Wo)

Provenance: nobility, Graz
Certificate / perizia: Johann Kronbichler, Director of the Diözesanmuseum St. Pölten, 15 June 2004: “With the delicate plastic modelling of the body, achieved through subtle transitions of light and dark, and due to the painterly refinement of the figure's rendering and the brilliant colouring, Mary Magdelene is represented here as characteristic female type. In terms of textural qualities, the golden hair accentuated with highlights is particularly charmful.” Kronbichler dates the painting to the mid 1790s.
Rottmayr lavorň a Roma (con Pietro da Cortona) e 13 anni a Venezia nello studio di Carl Loth detto Carlotto. Il dipinto presente č probabilmente il piů “italiano” e piů tenero delle sue opere. / Rottmayr travelled to Rome, where he worked with Pietro da Cortona. In 1675 he went to Venice, where he stayed in the workshop of Carl Loth called Carlotto for 13 years. He is the most important representative of Austrian High Baroque. As we are celebrating the 350th anniversary of his birth this year, the reappearance of this so far unknown painting may in a way be regarded as a birthday present. The artist worked primarily in Salzburg and Vienna, creating frescoes, ceiling decorations and altarpieces. The present work is one of the most delicate, Italianate, and beautiful examples from his oeuvre.
See also the preface to this catalogue.