Hans Baldung Grien's 'Maria als Himmelskönigin' Acquired for Alte Pinakothek with Support from Pesl-Stiftung Bayern
On May 12, 2025, it was announced that the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen has secured Hans Baldung Grien's early 16th-century artwork 'Maria als Himmelskönigin' for the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The acquisition was mainly financed by the Pesl-Stiftung Bayern, with additional contributions from the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Pinakotheks-Verein. This painting, showcasing the Virgin Mary as a nursing mother, will be unveiled on June 5 as part of the exhibition 'Wie Bilder erzählen: Storytelling von Albrecht Altdorfer bis Peter Paul Rubens.' It features a 16th-century walnut frame sourced from Basel. Its provenance includes transitions from Basel to the Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sche Museum in 1907, then to collector Robert von Hirsch in 1928, and finally to an American owner in 2012.
Key facts
- The Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen acquired Hans Baldung Grien's 'Maria als Himmelskönigin' on May 12, 2025.
- The painting dates from the early 16th century and depicts the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven combined with a nursing mother (Maria lactans).
- Primary funding came from the Pesl-Stiftung Bayern, founded in 1991 by Dr. h. c. Rudolf Pesl and Maja Robert-Pesl.
- Additional support was provided by the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Pinakotheks-Verein.
- The work will be displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich starting June 5, 2025, in the exhibition 'Wie Bilder erzählen: Storytelling von Albrecht Altdorfer bis Peter Paul Rubens.'
- An original 16th-century walnut frame was acquired from Basel through Knoell Rahmen.
- Provenance includes ownership by Robert von Hirsch in 1928, a London auction in 1978, and private collections in Germany and the United States.
- The acquisition was mediated by New York art dealer Nicolas Hall.
Entities
Artists
- Hans Baldung Grien
- Albrecht Dürer
- Albrecht Altdorfer
- Peter Paul Rubens
Institutions
- Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
- Alte Pinakothek
- Neue Pinakothek
- Pinakothek der Moderne
- Sammlung Moderne Kunst
- Sammlung Schack
- Museum Brandhorst
- Doerner Institut
- Pesl-Stiftung Bayern
- Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung
- Pinakotheks-Verein
- Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sche Museum
- Bayerisches Nationalmuseum
- Knoell Rahmen
Locations
- Munich
- Germany
- Schwäbisch Gmünd
- Nuremberg
- Strasbourg
- France
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Sigmaringen
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States