Anonymous

The Birth of Mary

Anonymous
The Birth of Mary

Not on view

Anne lies in a big four-poster bed with green curtains. She has just given birth to her daughter Mary, who will later become the mother of Jesus. While Anne recovers, two maternity nurses occupy themselves with the child. A midwife is taking a rest from her work at the table.

An anonymous German painter copied this panel from a print by Dürer. Not only did he copy the composition, but also the attention to everyday details, such as the still-life on the table.

Technical details

Anonymous
The Birth of Mary

Not on view

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Details

General information
Artist Anonymous (Germany)
Title The Birth of Mary
Object name painting
Inventory number 897
Material and technical details
Technique oil
Material panel
Dimensions 110 x 97 cm

Provenance

Friedrich Lippmann, Berlin, before 1903-1912; his sale Berlin (Lepke), 26 November 1912, no. 49 (to Von Pannwitz); Walter von Pannwitz (1856-1920), Berlin, 1912-1920; his widow, Cathalina von Pannwitz-Roth (1876-1959), Bennebroek and Heemstede, 1920-1940 (as H.S. von Kulmbach); sold by her via W.A. Hofer to Hermann Göring, Berlin, 18 October 1940; Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit (inv. no. NK 2559); on loan to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1948-1951; on loan to the Mauritshuis, 1951-1960; transferred, 1960

Second World War

This painting is part of the Netherlands Art Property Collection (‘NK collection’): objects that were stolen, seized or purchased during the Nazi regime. After the Second World War they were placed under the administration of the Dutch State. In recent decades, applications for restitution are taken into consideration again and some objects have been returned to the heirs of their rightful owners.

For more information: visit our page on provenance research