Events & Tickets
Hubert Gerhard (b. 1540/50, ’s-Hertogenbosch; d. 1620, Munich), the Netherlandish creator of early Baroque bronzes, is regarded as one of the key figures disseminating the Italianate artistic idiom north of the Alps. His training on Florentine models, particularly in the workshop of Giambologna, is evident in the elegance of his elongated figures in the Mannerist style. Gerhard’s creative interpretations set new standards for sculpture in southern Germany. He worked for the Fugger family in Augsburg, and served actively as court sculptor in Munich and in Innsbruck. His reputation was such that even Emperor Rudolf II failed in his efforts to bring this exceptional artist to his court in Prague.
The arrival of the Madonna Standing on a Crescent Moon in the Johanniterkirche in Schwäbisch Hall meant the return close to its place of origin of one of the most important Marian representations in bronze sculpture. The “great Marian image, with the Child upon her arm and a sceptre in her hand” was originally created for the castle chapel of the residence of Emperor Rudolf II’s brother, Archduke Maximilian III of Austria, in Bad Mergentheim, where the Archduke served as Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.
Standing with both feet on a crescent moon, Mary is identified - even without a crown – as ruler over all the celestial spheres. While the Christ Child, with luxuriantly curled hair like his mother, holds a globe in his left hand and raises his right with two fingers extended in a blessing, the crescent moon, symbol of inconstancy and evil, is trodden underfoot by Mary.
read more
read less
_res_wl2_frontpage_580.jpg "Hubert Gerhard, Madonna and Child, 1600/1602 , Würth Collection, Inv. 20911")
_res500v.jpg)
