Carl von Marr’s ‘Adoration’ a memorable view of the Holy Family
Based in a traditionally Catholic region of Germany, Carl von Marr (1858-1936) painted many religious images. As a star pupil of the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Munich and later its director, he knew traditional rules of religious painting.
But in “Adoration of the Christ Child” (circa 1898), which the Journal Sentinel has chosen this year as its Christmas Day front-page artwork, von Marr breaks at least one of them.
In classical religious iconography, the Virgin Mary wears a dark blue cloak, said Graeme Reid, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend. But in this “Adoration,” von Marr has painted her wearing gold, Reid pointed out.
The son of German immigrants, Carl Marr was born in Milwaukee; the noble
von was bestowed upon him later in life. While he settled in Germany, he made many trips back to the United States for commissions and exhibitions. He even painted a portrait of Milwaukee Journal founder Lucius W. Nieman.
“Adoration of the Christ Child” was originally owned by California’s Hearst family. Close inspection reveals that von Marr “seriously reworked” the painting from its original version, Reid said.
For example, in the earlier version of the painting, the Virgin is wearing a more traditional dark cloak.
The earlier version also had a tree toward the back that helped viewers gain a sense of perspective. That tree is not in the final version, Reid pointed out.
Von Marr was a professional artist who was not “precious” about his work. If a client wanted changes, he would make them, Reid said.
“Adoration of the Christ Child” is on display at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, which has the largest known collection of von Marr art. Von Marr’s masterpiece, “The Flagellants” (1889), is on permanent loan to MOWA from the City of Milwaukee.
This is the 10th year that the Journal Sentinel has shared work by a Wisconsin artist in the place typically reserved for the top news of the day. Von Marr’s painting was selected by editor George Stanley, deputy editor Jill Williams and arts editor Jim Higgins.
During the past 10 years, we have received scores of nominated artworks each year from museums, galleries, artists and readers. We have published both secular and religious images. Last year, we selected Bradley Parrish’s “North Pole Express,” which depicts Santa Claus in flight, holding the reins of his sleigh.