Adam Elsheimer (1578–1610) may be little known today, but he was one of the most important German artists of the 17th century. Dying at 32, he left behind a small body of work in terms of both output and scale. Only around 30 finished Elsheimer paintings on copper have survived to the present day. Although small-sized artworks, they are tours de force, evoking painting on a grand scale due to their intricate details, dynamic compositions, and dramatic lighting.
An Artist Whose Work Was Coveted
The son of a tailor in Frankfurt, Elsheimer trained first under a local artist. He traveled widely during his early career, visiting Strasbourg, Munich, and Venice. In 1600, he settled in Rome, spending the last decade of his life there. Part of a circle of intellectuals, his friends included Rubens.
The “Eternal City” was a font of inspiration, from its antique monuments to Caravaggio’s contemporaneous paintings, which displayed chiaroscuro.
Flight Into Egypt
This tiny picture reflects the interpretation of their journey as symbolic of “a pilgrimage of life toward salvation, necessary to redeem humankind,” according to the museum. The broad-brimmed hats of the figures are traditionally used by pilgrims for protection from harsh sun. The sturdy oak tree in the background, highlighted by a divine light, evokes the Tree of Life.
Elsheimer’s masterpiece is “The Flight Into Egypt” nocturne, part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany. The setting of this oil on copper is a darkened forest. The painting is the oldest known artwork to depict the Milky Way, which is visible from the top left corner. The accurate detailing of the night sky is based on observations by Galileo Galilei and Federico Cesi using the telescope that had just been invented.
Elsheimer’s masterful manipulation of light, both natural and manmade, amplifies the scene’s drama. Punctuating painted night skies with fires comes from the Flemish tradition and was popular among collectors in Rome. In this work, Elsheimer juxtaposes cool moonlight with warm fire to illuminate the darkness. The Madonna and Child on a donkey are in the foreground’s center. Joseph lights their way through a stream with a torch despite the full moon, whose reflection is seen in the body of water. In addition to the flaming torch, herdsmen at left have created a fire that draws the viewer’s eye through the painting.
This picture was made in 1609, a year before Elsheimer died. After his death, Rubens lamented: “Surely, after such a loss, our entire profession ought to clothe itself in mourning. It will not easily succeed in replacing him; in my opinion he had no equal in small figures, in landscapes, and in many other subjects.” Elsheimer’s luminous work shines on, worthy of more widespread appreciation and close viewing.
