KOLLER VIEW 01/24

10 pre view. 02 1 For private devotion Preview of the Old Master Paintings auction on 22 March 2024 Following the large altarpiece by Lucas Cranach the Elder and his studio which Koller had the honour of offering in spring 2023, another masterful painting by this virtuoso of the German Renaissance is now coming up for auction. Recently rediscovered in a private collection, it depicts the mystical marriage of Saint Catherine surrounded by the holy virgins Barbara, Margaret and Dorothea, who are characterised by their attributes: sword, tower, dragon and basket of flowers (ill. 2). Cranach skilfully takes up the theme of the ‘Virgo inter vir- gines’, depicting the Virgin Mother of God in the company of the holy virgins, a popular motif since the 15 th century, especially in the Netherlands. The focus here is on the four ‘virgines capitales’, intricately woven into the scene of the marriage of Saint Catherine, in a dynamic composition of symmetrically stationary and diagonally moving lines. The 14 th century legend recounts that the beautiful and clever princess Catherine of Alexandriawould only accept a man who was her equal in every respect. When no suit- able candidate could be found, a hermit told her that only Christ could fulfil her criteria. In an initial dream encounter, Christ declined her proposal, only to appear in a second dream after her baptism, symbolically sealing their union with a ring. This enchanting narrative is brought to life in a high- quality mystical marriage painting dating to around 1520, attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder and his workshop, as confirmed by art-historical and technological studies conducted by Dr Gunnar Heydenreich. The meticulous underdrawing, revealed through infrared reflectography, attests to Cranach’s direct application of the composition to the painting ground. In accordance with Wittenberg workshop practice, the composition was completed in the studio with the help of an assistant. Cranach’s profound friendship with Martin Luther around 1517 positioned him as a visual bridge, disseminating the new revelations of faith and influencing the artistic rep- resentations of the time. The panel under consideration, crafted on the eve of the Reformation, is notable for its format and the absence of theological and dogmatic sub- jects, suggesting it was likely intended for private devotion. The artist’s meticulous craftsmanship, the masterful di- versity within the depiction, and the cohesive unity of the composition all set this work apart. Cranach’s artistic prowess shines through not only in the portrayal of the mystical marriage but also in the landscape that forms the backdrop. The staggered perspective, the geographical diversity featuring flatlands and rocky landscapes, and the intricately rendered fauna collectively testify to the artist's mastery. 1 B icci di Lorenzo (1373–1452). A pair: St Benedict and Mary Magdalene. Tempera on panel. 33 × 30 cm each. Estimate: 30 000/60 000 2 L ucas Cranach the Elder and studio (1472–1553). The mystical marriage of St Catherine. Oil on panel. 40.6 × 26.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 200 000/300 000 For further information Old Master Paintings KarolineWeser weser@kollerauctions.com Online Catalogues www.kollerauctions.com