Offered by Galerie Meier
During his long tour of Italy, the Austrian-born painter was able to benefit from the teachings of Sebastiano Ricci in Venice. His stay in Naples enabled him to meet Francesco Solimena, with whom he collaborated.
On his return to Austria, he specialised in religious commissions, which were marked by a profound Caravaggesque influence.
Our painting, with its "strong expressionist overtones", was painted in several versions, including a smaller one that was offered for sale at an estimate of €20,000 - 40,000 in 2009 by Im Kinsky Kunst Auktionen.