Company News • 25.01.2012
Germany's most expensive artwork in new hands and new light
Zumtobel provides gentle illumination – to optimum effect – for one of the most famous and most important 16th century paintings.
The “Madonna of Mayor Jakob Meyer zum Hasen” (“Virgin of Mercy”), which is considered one of the most famous, most important and most beautiful paintings of the 16th century, is also the most expensive work of art in Germany. The masterpiece by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543) was painted in Basle between 1526 and 1528 and shows the family of the Mayor of Basle next to the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus.
In summer 2011, the painting was purchased by entrepreneur and art collector Reinhold Würth. The Würth collection comprises more than 14,000 artworks, most of them pieces of modern and contemporary art. The old masters from this collection are made accessible to the public at the “Johanniterhalle” (St. John's Hall) in Schwäbisch Hall. With the entry of the “Virgin of Mercy” in January 2012, the Johanniterhalle will be renamed “Johanniterkirche” (St. John's Church), in order to do justice to the initial function of the building originating from the twelfth century.
There are particular requirements concerning the environment for the most expensive German painting. It has therefore been accommodated in a special exhibition wall. The lighting system for the Madonna must also comply with the special requirements of the nearly 500-year-old painting.
The masterpiece will be shown in a special showcase-like exhibition wall and gently illuminated to optimum effect by Zumtobel's MICROTOOLS. Especially when it comes to the illumination of artworks, the miniaturised LED spots demonstrate their strengths within minimum space. On account of their extremely pared-down design, they remain almost invisible for viewers and, thanks to considerably reduced thermal radiation, can be placed close to the exhibits.
