Ernst Deger (German, 1809-1855). Regina Coeli: Virgin and Christ Child enthroned in the clouds. Oil on gessoed panel wit...

Description

Ernst Deger (German, 1809-1855)
Regina Coeli: Virgin and Christ Child enthroned in the clouds
Oil on gessoed panel with incised gold background
20 x 12-1/2 inches (50.8 x 31.8 cm)
Signed in the globe at bottom center: E. Deger

PROVENANCE:
Hargesheimer & Günther, Düsseldorf, Germany;
Private collection, Chicago, Illinois.

Considered the most prominent religious painter of the Düsseldorf School, Ernst Deger produced an altarpiece early in his career (1836-7) for the Church of St. Andreas in Dusseldorf showing Mary as the Queen of Heaven (Regina Coeli) holding a lively Christ Child in her arms. It was enormously popular and was profusely illustrated in prayer books. This smaller devotional work relates to that esteemed altarpiece, showing Jesus as a toddler rather than an infant (which was unusual), but presenting Mary seated in clouds rather than standing, and holding a scepter. Later in his career, following the completion of a monumental chapel cycle commissioned by the Prussian King Frederick William IV at Stolzenfels Castle, Deger settled permanently in Düsseldorf, where he resumed his work in oil, and spent the rest of his life producing easel pictures, chiefly Madonnas.


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