Lot number 3688 - Auction 155
ZWEI SZENEN AUS DER LEGENDE DES SIMON VON TRIENT

SOUTH GERMAN-AUSTRIAN SCHOOL, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY. TWO SCENES FROM THE LEGEND OF SIMON OF TRIENT Oil on canvas (relined). Both: 74 x 61.5 cm (F. 91.5 x 78 cm). Each: Partially min. old rest., slight old retouching. Frame. The two large-scale, narratively dense paintings depict scenes from the legend of Simon of Trent (+ 1475), which has been widespread since the late 15th century. One depicts the dramatic scene of the accusation and interrogation in a monumental interior, the other the violent act itself, staged as a ritualized scene with strongly theatrical lighting. In the first painting, a stage-like space opens up with antique-style architecture, draperies, and sculptural staffage. The boy stands in the center of a diverse crowd of clergy, dignitaries, and onlookers. The composition is characterized by dynamic lines of sight and a dramatic chiaroscuro effect. The second painting heightens the drama: numerous figures are grouped around a table in expressive density. Red and blue tones set luminous accents in the otherwise subdued color scheme. The physiognomic exaggeration and strong gestures lend the scene an emotional intensity characteristic of late Baroque art in southern Germany and Austria. The theme of the painting refers to the so-called ritual murder legend surrounding Simon of Trent, which originated in the 15th century and was reflected in picture cycles and devotional representations for centuries. Modern historical research-most recently presented in detail by Philipp Zeidler (Die Ritualmordlegende um Simon von Trient) -rejects the alleged ritual murder as a constructed narrative. The depictions should therefore be understood as evidence of early modern piety and legend formation, not as historical documentation. It is precisely this tension that gives them their cultural-historical significance: the paintings impressively document the visual transmission of a legend that was deeply rooted in the Baroque imagery of Central Europe and was only officially revised in the 20th century. This pair of paintings is impressive for its dramatic staging, dense arrangement of figures, and high-quality Baroque color scheme. As a unified pair, the works are not only iconographically rare, but also have significant documentary value for the history of religion and mentality in the 18th century. An impressive example of late Baroque painting in southern Germany and Austria, caught between theatricality, popular piety, and historical legend-making (in collaboration with OpenAI (ChatGPT), dated February 17, 2026). Provenance: International private collection.