The fifth episode introduces Petr Brandl who ranks among the prominent painters of the Baroque period in Bohemia. He was a highly gifted and sought-after artist who received many prestigious commissions. His boisterous personal life, however, brought him to the debtors´ prison. In the painting of the biblical theme Simeon with Infant Jesus, Brandl masterfully depicted the state of mind of an old man who takes a small child into his arms while recognizing the Saviour within him. This work displays an outstanding artistic quality thanks to Brandl’s excellent work with light and the dynamic, impasto application of paint by brush and his own fingers.
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Petr Brandl, Simeon with Infant Jesus
Ca. 1730
Height 78 cm x width 60 cm
Oil on canvas
Painter Petr Brandl, who lived between 1668 and 1735, is a representative of the High Baroque. Just as Baroque art is dramatic, so was Brandl’s personal life. The painter was celebrated, sought-after, and very well paid. On the other hand, he was imprisoned several times due to his debts. Maybe it was just his bohemian life that enabled him to express human emotions so brilliantly. The painting depicts the biblical story of Simeon with the infant Jesus. The prophecy said that Simeon would not die until he saw the Messiah. At this very moment, we find ourselves in the temple: the old man takes a small child, the infant Jesus, in his arms in whom he recognizes the Saviour. He looks to the heavens with relief, knowing that his life´s journey has been fulfilled. Brandl shows us how masterfully he can work with the painting technique. The light seems flickering and certain parts, such as the old man´s beard and Infant Jesus’ hair, are very thick. The artist impressed the paint with his fingers, rotated the brush, and even used its handle to engrave in the canvas.
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The project was realized in cooperation with the National Gallery Prague and the Czech Centres.
