Artwork
Schlafende Lucretia (?)
Schlafende Lucretia (?) is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Hans Rottenhammer. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Schlafende Lucretia (?
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The classification of the piece as a history painting underscores its engagement with narrative storytelling drawn from classical antiquity.
The work depicts Lucretia, a central figure from Roman history and legend whose story was a frequent subject in history painting. As indicated by the tentative title, the composition likely portrays her in a state of sleep, a specific moment often utilized in artistic representations to explore themes of vulnerability preceding her tragic fate. The classification of the piece as a history painting underscores its engagement with narrative storytelling drawn from classical antiquity.
While the specific iconographic details of the scene are not elaborated upon in the available records, the identification of the subject firmly places the artwork within the tradition of depicting moral and historical exempla from the ancient world.
History & Provenance
The painting known as Schlafende Lucretia (?) was created in 1594 by the German artist Hans Rottenhammer. Classified as a history painting, the work depicts the Roman figure Lucretia. It currently resides within the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is housed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
The available records establish its inception year as 1594, though no specific details regarding its original commission or intermediate ownership history prior to entering the state collection are provided in the current sources.
The painting Schlafende Lucretia (c. 1594) by Hans Rottenhammer the Elder is housed in the Alte Pinakothek, part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich. It was created in 1594 and measures 149.1 centimeters in height by 188.5 centimeters in width. The work has been exhibited as part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections' holdings and is cataloged under their inventory.
The Alte Pinakothek maintains its historical exhibition records, though specific exhibition listings for this work are not detailed in the source material.
Overview
Schlafende Lucretia (?) is a small-scale history painting created by Johann Rottenhammer in 1598, characterized by its Mannerist style and meticulous execution.
Technique & Style
Rottenhammer's refined technique is evident in the painting's sharp chiaroscuro, where pronounced contrasts between light and shadow accentuate the faces, bodies, and spatial separation of the figures, enhancing the dramatic mood.
Context
Created in 1598, the painting reflects Rottenhammer's activity during the late 16th to early 17th centuries, a period when Mannerist styles emphasized emotional intensity and complex compositions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Rottenhammer, or Hans Rottenhammer (1564 – 14 August 1625), was a German painter. He specialized in highly finished paintings on a small scale.
