ArtworkStatus unknown

The Nativity

by Artist-Unknown

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oil paint (paint)74 × 111 Cm

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About the artwork

Artist supplied description.

Once thought to be by the young Albrecht Altdorfer, this painting is instead the work of a painter named after a winged altarpiece in the town of Pulkau, near the Austrian and Moravian border. Though the artist takes his name from the Pulkau altarpiece, he was probably active in Vienna. Like other loosely associated South German and Austrian artists of the early 16th century, who are now grouped together as the Danube School, the Master of Pulkau used exuberant natural forms to give a heightened emotional quality to his work. In this altarpiece wing, the swirling vegetation, excited angels, and oversized Virgin and animals direct the viewer’s attention to the vulnerable Christ Child, who is the focus of adoration.

Artwork metadata

Structured fields synced from connected systems.

Medium	oil paint (paint)
Dimensions	74 × 111 Cm
Tags	nativity scenesanimalsholy familyangelsbabieschildrenwomanwoman with childrenflowersdonkeyscowsruinsirisesChristian subjectsChristianityreligionreligiousreligious figuresreligious scenesVirgin MaryJesusbiblicalCentury of Progressworld's fairsChicago World's Fairs
Certificate	Certificate not provided

Timeline

Chain of custody, exhibitions, and verification milestones synced from the provenance service.

Fri

Jan

note

Martha Wolff in Martha Wolff et al., Northern European and Spanish Paintings before 1600 in the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 2008, pp. 385-91, ill.

2026 at 08:08 PM

Martha Wolff in Martha Wolff et al., Northern European and Spanish Paintings before 1600 in the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 2008, pp. 385-91, ill.

Fri

Jan

note

Mitchell B. Merback, “Fount of Mercy, City of Blood: Cultic Anti-Judaism and the Pulkau Passion Altar-piece,” Art Bull. 87

2026 at 08:05 PM

Mitchell B. Merback, “Fount of Mercy, City of Blood: Cultic Anti-Judaism and the Pulkau Passion Altar-piece,” Art Bull. 87 (2005), p. 591.

Fri

Jan

note

Karl Oettinger, Altdorfer-Studien, Nuremberg, 1959, pp. 122–23.

2026 at 07:59 PM

Karl Oettinger, Altdorfer-Studien, Nuremberg, 1959, pp. 122–23.

Fri

Jan

note

Otto Ben-esch and Erwin M. Auer, Die Historia Friderici et Maximiliani, Berlin, 1957, pp. 44–46, 51, 100, 128, no. 3b, fig. 9.

2026 at 07:57 PM

Otto Ben-esch and Erwin M. Auer, Die Historia Friderici et Maximiliani, Berlin, 1957, pp. 44–46, 51, 100, 128, no. 3b, fig. 9.

Fri

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1956, p. 27

2026 at 07:56 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1956, p. 27 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

Walther Bu-chowiecki, Geschichte der Malerei in Wien, Geschichte der Stadt Wien, n.s. 7, 2, Vienna, 1955, p. 40.

2026 at 07:55 PM

Walther Bu-chowiecki, Geschichte der Malerei in Wien, Geschichte der Stadt Wien, n.s. 7, 2, Vienna, 1955, p. 40.

Fri

Jan

note

Erwin Panofsky, Early Netherlandish Painting: Its Origins and Character, Cambridge, Mass., 1953, p. 470.

2026 at 07:53 PM

Erwin Panofsky, Early Netherlandish Painting: Its Origins and Character, Cambridge, Mass., 1953, p. 470.

Fri

Jan

note

Franz Winzinger, Albrecht Altdorfer Zeichnungen, Munich, 1952, pp. 55, 103, under nos. 137–38.

2026 at 07:52 PM

Franz Winzinger, Albrecht Altdorfer Zeichnungen, Munich, 1952, pp. 55, 103, under nos. 137–38.

Fri

Jan

note

“Meister von Pulkau,” in Ulrich Thieme and Felix Becker, Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart, vol. 37, 1950, p. 282.

2026 at 07:50 PM

“Meister von Pulkau,” in Ulrich Thieme and Felix Becker, Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart, vol. 37, 1950, p. 282.

Fri

Jan

note

Helen Parker, The Christmas Story: Illustrated from the Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 1949, n.pag.

2026 at 07:49 PM

Helen Parker, The Christmas Story: Illustrated from the Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 1949, n.pag. (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1948, p. 27

2026 at 07:48 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1948, p. 27 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, A Picture Book: Masterpieces of Painting, XV and XVI Centuries in the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1946, pp. 1, 22–24

2026 at 07:46 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, A Picture Book: Masterpieces of Painting, XV and XVI Centuries in the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1946, pp. 1, 22–24 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1945, p. 30

2026 at 07:45 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, An Illustrated Guide to the Collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, 1945, p. 30 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

Regina Shoolman and Charles E. Slatkin, The Enjoyment of Art in America, Philadelphia and New York, 1942, p. 507, pl. 444.

2026 at 07:42 PM

Regina Shoolman and Charles E. Slatkin, The Enjoyment of Art in America, Philadelphia and New York, 1942, p. 507, pl. 444.

Fri

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, A Brief Illustrated Guide to the Collections, 1941, p. 28

2026 at 07:41 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, A Brief Illustrated Guide to the Collections, 1941, p. 28 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

Frederick A. Sweet, “The Nativity Attributed to Albrecht Aldorfer,” Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago 34

2026 at 07:40 PM

Frederick A. Sweet, “The Nativity Attributed to Albrecht Aldorfer,” Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago 34 (1940), pp. 2–3 (cover ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

Otto Benesch, “Donaukunst: Zur Eröffnung der Münchner Altdorfer-Ausstellung,” Österreichische Kunst 9

2026 at 07:38 PM

Otto Benesch, “Donaukunst: Zur Eröffnung der Münchner Altdorfer-Ausstellung,” Österreichische Kunst 9 (1938), pp. 22–23 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

note

Otto Benesch, “Die Tafelmalerei des 1. Drittels des 16. Jahrhunderts in Österreich,” in Die bildende Kunst in Ös-terreich, vol. 3, Gotische Zeit, ed. Karl Ginhart, Baden bei Wien, 1938, p. 141; repr. Benesch, Collected Writings, vol. 3, ed....

2026 at 07:38 PM

Otto Benesch, “Die Tafelmalerei des 1. Drittels des 16. Jahrhunderts in Österreich,” in Die bildende Kunst in Ös-terreich, vol. 3, Gotische Zeit, ed. Karl Ginhart, Baden bei Wien, 1938, p. 141; repr. Benesch, Collected Writings, vol. 3, ed. Eva Ben-esch, London, 1972, p. 6.

Fri

Jan

note

Ernst Buchner, Albrecht Altdorfer und sein Kreis: Gedächtnisausstellung zum 400. Todesjahr Altdorfers, exh. cat., Munich, Neue Staatsgalerie, Munich, 1938, p. 148, under no. 677.

2026 at 07:38 PM

Ernst Buchner, Albrecht Altdorfer und sein Kreis: Gedächtnisausstellung zum 400. Todesjahr Altdorfers, exh. cat., Munich, Neue Staatsgalerie, Munich, 1938, p. 148, under no. 677.

Fri

Jan

note

Charles L. Kuhn, A Catalogue of German Paintings of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in American Collections, Cambridge, Mass., 1936, pp. 71–72, no. 310, pl. 62.

2026 at 07:36 PM

Charles L. Kuhn, A Catalogue of German Paintings of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in American Collections, Cambridge, Mass., 1936, pp. 71–72, no. 310, pl. 62.

Fri

Jan

note

Gustav Pauli, “A German Art Critic Visits America,” American-German Review 2, 1

2026 at 07:35 PM

Gustav Pauli, “A German Art Critic Visits America,” American-German Review 2, 1 (1935), p. 29 (ill.).

Fri

Jan

exhibition

Art Institute of Chicago, A Century of Progress, 1934, no. 1, as attributed to Albrecht Altdorfer.

2026 at 07:34 PM

Art Institute of Chicago, A Century of Progress, 1934, no. 1, as attributed to Albrecht Altdorfer.

Fri

Jan

note

sold to the Art Institute, 1933.

2026 at 07:33 PM

sold to the Art Institute, 1933.

Sat

Jan

exhibition

Art Institute of Chicago, Glad Tidings of Great Joy, 1993–94 (no cat.).

1993 at 07:06 PM

Art Institute of Chicago, Glad Tidings of Great Joy, 1993–94 (no cat.).

Sat

Jan

note

Art Institute of Chicago, Glad Tidings of Great Joy, Chicago, 1993, pp. 16–17

1993 at 07:06 PM

Art Institute of Chicago, Glad Tidings of Great Joy, Chicago, 1993, pp. 16–17 (ill.), 39.

Thu

Jan

note

Margit Stadlober, “Die Vision des heiligen Bernhard vom Meister der Historia Friderici et Maximiliani, ein Werk der frühen Donauschule,” in Orient und Okzident im Spiegel der Kunst: Festschrift Heinrich Gerhard Franz zum 70. Geburtstag, ed....

1986 at 07:06 PM

Margit Stadlober, “Die Vision des heiligen Bernhard vom Meister der Historia Friderici et Maximiliani, ein Werk der frühen Donauschule,” in Orient und Okzident im Spiegel der Kunst: Festschrift Heinrich Gerhard Franz zum 70. Geburtstag, ed. Günter Brucher et al., Graz, 1986, pp. 365, 372, 374, 376–77.

Sat

Jan

note

Margit Stadlober, “Der Hochaltar der Heiligblutkirche zu Pulkau: Dissertation Graz 1982,” Das Münster 37

1982 at 07:06 PM

Margit Stadlober, “Der Hochaltar der Heiligblutkirche zu Pulkau: Dissertation Graz 1982,” Das Münster 37 (1984), pp. 236–38.

Wed

Jan

note

Dr....

1980 at 07:06 PM

Dr. H. C. Krüger, Berlin [letter from Julius Böhler to Ilse Hecht, May 21, 1980, in curatorial file.]. Böhler and Steinmeyer, Lucerne, shortly before 1933 [letter cited abve and another to Ilse Hecht, June 10, 1980, in which Böhler stated that the picture would have been acquired by the firm only one or two years before it was sold to the Art Institute]

Thu

Jan

note

Franz Winzinger, Albrecht Altdorfer: Die Gemälde, Munich and Zurich, 1975, pp. 59, 128, no. 103, fig. 103.

1975 at 07:06 PM

Franz Winzinger, Albrecht Altdorfer: Die Gemälde, Munich and Zurich, 1975, pp. 59, 128, no. 103, fig. 103.

Fri

Jan

note

John Maxon, The Art Institute of Chicago, London, 1970, pp. 253

1970 at 07:06 PM

John Maxon, The Art Institute of Chicago, London, 1970, pp. 253 (ill.), 283.

Mon

Jan

note

Maria Magda-lena Zykan, “Der Buchschmuck Johann Winterburgers und der Donaustil,” in Werden und Wandlung: Studien zur Kunst der Donauschule, Linz, 1967, p. 48.

1967 at 07:06 PM

Maria Magda-lena Zykan, “Der Buchschmuck Johann Winterburgers und der Donaustil,” in Werden und Wandlung: Studien zur Kunst der Donauschule, Linz, 1967, p. 48.

Sat

Jan

note

Fritz Dworschak, “Der Meister der Historia

1965 at 07:06 PM

Fritz Dworschak, “Der Meister der Historia (Niclas Preu), Niederösterreich und Nachbargebiete,” in Die Kunst der Donauschule, 1490–1540, exh. cat., Stift Sankt Florian and Schlossmuseum Linz, 1965, p. 97.

Thu

Jan

note

Alfred Stange, Malerei der Donauschule, Munich, 1964, pp. 114, 149, no. 3b, fig. 202.

1964 at 07:06 PM

Alfred Stange, Malerei der Donauschule, Munich, 1964, pp. 114, 149, no. 3b, fig. 202.

Wed

Jan

note

Alexa von Aufsess, Die Altarwerkstatt des Paul Lautensack unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ihrer Verbindung zur Werkstatt des Pulkauer Altars, Baden-Baden and Strasbourg, 1963, pp. 47–48, 74 n. 140.

1963 at 07:06 PM

Alexa von Aufsess, Die Altarwerkstatt des Paul Lautensack unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ihrer Verbindung zur Werkstatt des Pulkauer Altars, Baden-Baden and Strasbourg, 1963, pp. 47–48, 74 n. 140.

Mon

Jan

note

The Art Institute of Chicago, Paintings in The Art Institute of Chicago: A Catalogue of the Picture Collection, 1961, p. 302.

1961 at 07:06 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago, Paintings in The Art Institute of Chicago: A Catalogue of the Picture Collection, 1961, p. 302.