Ignaz Günther
Munich, between 1765 and 1772
Limewood, polychrome
173,0 x 61,0 x 48,0 cm
Inv.-Nr. 55/169
Acquired with funding from the Kulturspende der bayerischen Wirtschaft in 1955
Galleries 42-43
These expressive figures representing the Virgin's parents came from a side altar of the former hospice church of the Barmherzige Brüder in Munich and are late works by Günther. The bodies, which twist complicatedly, have been meticulously executed. St Anne's pose, in contrast to that of Joachim, seems almost fearful, as if she were warding off the event being represented at the centre of the altar, one which is both surprising and incredible.