Die mystische Vermählung der Hl. Katharina (M+)

A recently discovered painting by Adam Elsheimer on show at the Alte Pinakothek.

Elsheimer, who came from Frankfurt and was active in Italy, is one of the most important masters of early Baroque painting in Europe. Not only Rubens and Rembrandt were inspired by his art. Elsheimer's Oeuvre is not extensive, with few more than 30 works being accepted today as having been created by his own hand. In this respect, the attribution of The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine is of considerable significance. Elsheimer is represented in the Alte Pinakothek with two paintings - The Burning of Troy of 1600/1601 and his central work The Flight into Egypt of 1609. Until the end of the year The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine, created in Venice and c. 1598/1599, will be displayed next to these two paintings providing an opportunity for the new attribution to be examined in context. It is also possible to compare it with three works by Hans Rottenhammer (1564/1565-1625). The painter from Munich who ran a workshop in Venice enjoyed an enduring success with elaborately executed, small-format paintings on copper. During his stay in Venice in 1598/1599 Elsheimer worked in Rottenhammer's workshop and with the artist himself, and gathered a number of important stimuli.

Elsheimer depicts the vision of the mystic marriage of St. Catherine. According to legend, the Cypriot king's daughter aspired to marry a man who equalled her in rank, wealth, beauty and wisdom. Having been told by a hermit that only Jesus Christ could be her true bridegroom, and after being baptised, she had a vision in which the Christ Child placed a ring on her finger.