The central panel from the epitaph for Caspar Niemeck (1517-1562) depicts the Adoration of the Shepherd in stage-like pictorial space. [...] The main scene of the Adoration with the Virgin and Joseph, the ox and the ass, the angels and the shepherds is located within a stable. Here shown as
The central panel from the epitaph for Caspar Niemeck (1517-1562) depicts the Adoration of the Shepherd in stage-like pictorial space. [...] The main scene of the Adoration with the Virgin and Joseph, the ox and the ass, the angels and the shepherds is located within a stable. Here shown as an interior with precisely aligned beams and brickwork, without windows or doors, and revealing a snow covered landscape in the background. The shepherds are visible in the field beyond and listen to the angel descending from heaven. Putti play in the beams of the open roof with transparent broad banners inscribed with Christmas messages. [...] The shepherds enter the quiet scene in the foreground somewhat awkwardly, but wearing festive clothes. [...] In contrast the donors appear slightly stiff. [...] Two painted coats of arms decorate the spandrels of the painted frame: on the left the coat of arms of the Niemeck family with three roses growing from one root. The wife's family could not yet be identified.
[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 173]
- Attribution
- Lucas Cranach the Younger
Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Younger | [Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 173] |
- Production date
- 1564
Production date
1564 | [dated] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 172 x 120.3 x 2.2-2.7 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 172 x 120.3 x 2.2-2.7 cm
Dimensions including frame: 188 x 136 x 6 cm
[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 173]
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia beneath the Virgin: serpent with dropped wings facing right and dated '1564'; in yellow paint
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia beneath the Virgin: serpent with dropped wings facing right and dated '1564'; in yellow paint
- Inscriptions and Labels
-
on various banners being attached to the beams by putti: EHRE SEI GOT IN/ DER HOHE
VND FRIDE / …Inscriptions and Labels
Inscriptions, Badges:
- on various banners being attached to the beams by putti:
EHRE SEI GOT IN/ DER HOHE
VND FRIDE / AVFF ERDEN
VND DEN MENSCHE[n] / EIN WOLGEFALEN
- the following inscription was attached below:
'Micheas am V.
Vnd du Bethlehem Ephrata/die du klein bist / vnter den Tausnten in Jda / auß dir sol mir der kommen / der in Israel HErr sey / welches Außgang von Anfang vnd Ewig her gewest ist
Lucas am 11. Cap.
Vnnd der Engel sprach zu den Hirten / Fürchtet euch nicht / Sihe ich verkündige euch grosse Frewde die allem Volck wiederfahren wirdt / denn euch ist heute der Heyland geboren / welcher ist Christus der HErr in der StadtDauid /vnd das habt zum zeichen /Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windelein gewickelt /vnd iin einer Krippen liegen / etc.'
[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 177]
- Owner
- Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
- Repository
- Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
- Location
- Wittenberg
- CDA ID
- DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW008
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR-none
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW008/
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