The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 6, 2023

The Resurrection of Christ

1622

Johann König

(German, 1586–1642)

Germany, 17th century

Oil on copper

Unframed: 61 x 46 cm (24 x 18 1/8 in.)

Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2017.192

Location

214 Central and Northern European

Description

According to Christian belief, three days after his death by crucifixion, Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. König’s interpretation of this traditional theme employs vivid colors and explosive poses to express the drama of the event. Meticulous brushwork delineates exquisite details, and draws attention to the luminous landscape and the three holy women hastening towards Christ’s vacant tomb.

Inscriptions

Inscription

Signed and dated lower left: Johan. : König / 1622

Provenance
until 1813
Count Joseph Franz Anton Wunibald Andreas Saturnin, Truchseß [Steward] zu Waldburg-Zeil-Wurzach [1748–1813], Cologne, Wurzach and Vienna by 1796, until 1813
between 1814 and 1820
Among 81 paintings purchased from the Truchsessian collection by Ludwig I, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine [1753–1830]
1820
Presented by Ludwig I to the Großherzogliches Museum, Darmstadt, 1820
1830-1854
Deaccessioned from the Großherzogliches Museum, Darmstadt, between 1830 and 1854
by 1920s
Collection Wilhelm Kreis [1873–1955], Düsseldorf, probably by the 1920s
1955-2007
Bequeathed by Wilhelm Kreis to his nephew and godson, Helmut Arntz [1912–2007]
2007-2012
By descent to his son, Joachim Arntz, by whom sold
2012
(Lempertz, Cologne, November 17, 2012, no. 1126, sold to a consortium of dealers including Konrad Bernheimer [Colnaghi] and Otto Naumann)
2012-2014
(Colnaghi, London / Bernheimer Fine Old Masters, Munich [2014])
Citations
Müller, Franz Hubert. Beschreibung der Gemäldesammlung in dem Großherzoglichen Museum zu Darmstadt. Darmstadt, 1820. Mentioned: p.69, no. 215
Frimmel, Theodor von. “Zur Geschichte der Galerie Truchsess-Zeyl-Wurzach.” Blätter für Gemäldekunde, 1 no. 2 (April 1904): 23-28. Mentioned: p. 27 (no. 19)
Wieseman, Marjorie E. "Fresh Take: Three of the Northern European galleries get a new look.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 58, no. 6 (November/December 2018): 20-21. Reproduced and mentioned: P. 21.
Exhibition history

The Cleveland Museum of Art (03/17/2018-06/06/2018): "Recent Acquisitions 2014-2017"

Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 17-June 7, 2018).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2017.192