Full Record |
| Title |
Adoration of the Magi |
| Collection |
Holburne Museum of Art, Bath |
| Artist |
Rottenhammer, Hans, I (German painter, 1564-1625) |
| Date Earliest |
possibly about 1600 |
| Date Latest |
possibly about 1625 |
| Description |
The tender encounter between the elderly king and the new-born infant forms a central focus, which is framed by the figures of the Virgin and second king. The Magi's retinue crowd in behind, craning to catch a glimpse of the Child and, to the right, appears the shadowy figure of Joseph. The approximately circular composition echoes the tondo format. The Adoration of the Magi is painted on an almost miniaturist scale and on a copper support, features which are associated with Hans Rottenhammer. The sumptuous colouring and luxurious fabrics indicate the influence of sixteenth-century Venetian artists, particularly Veronese. |
| Current Accession Number |
A22 |
| Subject |
religion (Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Holy Family, New Testament); figure |
| Measurements |
29.26 x 28.6 cm cm (estimate) |
| Material |
oil on metal (copper) |
| Acquisition Details |
Bequeathed by Miss Mary Anne Barbara Holburne 1882. |
| Provenance |
Sir Thomas William Holburne, by 1867-74; by descent to Mary Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882), 1874. |
| Publications |
Catalogue of the Pictures and Library, Engravings, Etchings and Miniatures Belonging to Sir Thomas William Holburne, Bart., Bath, 1867, cat. no. 151, p. 7; Chaffers, W., Catalogue of the Holburne of Menstrie Art Museum Bath, London, 1887, cat. no. 1470, p. 73; Moeckler, F., Holburne of Menstrie Art Museum, Bath, 1902, cat. no. 99, p. 4; Catalogue, Pictures and Miniatures, I, 1927, cat. no. 150, pp. 45-46; The Holburne of Menstrie Museum, Catalogue, Pictures, I, Bath 1936, cat. no. 20, p. 11; Wright, C., Old Master Paintings in Britain: An Index of Continental Old Master Paintings executed before c. 1800 in Public Collections in the United Kingdom, London, 1976, p. 176. |
| Notes |
Tondo format. Inscribed on frame (front): 'ROTTENHAMMER'; label of T. W. Holburne on reverse of slip, fragment, inscribed in ink: '...[?] Rottenhammer'. Modern labels on reverse of frame. H. A. Buttery rejected the attribution to Rottenhammer, and described A22 as 'bad', 1906. |
| Rights Owner |
© The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath |
| Author |
Dr Susan Steer |
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