The Adoration of the Golden Calf, ca. 1701 – 1750

Dimensions: 31.6 x 41.7 cm

Physical Description: Canvas

Acquisition: Acquired in 1906 as a bequest from Ludwig Joseph Pfungst

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 14

Texts

About the Acquisition

Ludwig Josef Pfungst, a businessman in Worms, died on 4 July 1905. A childless bachelor, he left his entire art collection and his fortune of around a million marks to the city of Frankfurt. It was his wish that the interest on the money be used to purchase works of contemporary art. This legacy was a major factor leading to the foundation of the Städtische Galerie, which has been part of the Städelsches Kunstinstitut since 1907. Still in existence today, the Pfungst Foundation now mainly supports purchases of modern art for the Städel museum’s Collection of Prints and Drawings.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: The Adoration of the Golden Calf

Painter

Venetian Master 18th century

Period Produced

18th century

School

Baroque

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Canvas

Material

canvas

Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Administration

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

Städtische Galerie

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1906 as a bequest from Ludwig Joseph Pfungst

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Aaron

Associated Persons and Institutions

Illustrated Passage

Bibel, Altes Testament, Exodus 32,1-6

Associated Source

Bibel, Altes Testament, Exodus 28,15-30

Iconclass

Primary

71E1353 adoration of the golden calf (which may be standing on a pillar, and is sometimes depicted as a dragon)
71E13531 Aaron builds an altar and offers a sacrifice to the golden calf

Secondary