CONTRIBUŢII PRIVIND OPERA PICTORULUI FRANZ ANTON MAULBERTSCH (1724 - 1796) ÎN TRANSILVANIA

Abstract

Contributions Regarding the Artwork of Franz Anton Maulbertsch (1724 - 1796) in Transylvania. Franz Anton Maulbertsch grew as an artist within the Arts Academy of Vienna, in the 18th century. His paintings have been kept in Transylvania in St. Michael’s Church of Cluj-Napoca and in the collection of the Roman-Catholic Bishopry of Alba-Iulia, having been brought from the Orlat military centre. Two canvases signed by the master were discovered in 2010 in The Trinity Church of Bistrita. The painting Adoration of the Magi from the Roman-Catholic Parish Church of Cluj was executed between 1749 and 1750, when the young artist was awarded the first prize of the Arts Academy of Vienna. The Empress Maria Theresa donated six 1765 paintings belonging to the artist to the Border Regiment of Orlat: Adoration of the Shepherds, Christ Among His Disciples, the Pentecost, Ascension of Christ, Christ Offering His Disciples the Holy Communion at the Last Supper, Salomé and John the Baptist. Having been restored in 1934, the paintings are hosted by the collection of the Roman-Catholic Bishopric of Alba-Iulia. Two canvases of 190X130 were discovered in Bistrita: Ascension of Christ and Christ Offering His Disciples the Holy Communion at the Last Supper. The paintings have identical compositions with those in the collection of Alba Iulia, contrasting only in a few execution details. The scene of the ascension discovered in Bistrita is signed at the right, at the bottom of the canvas, A. M. pinxit 1763. The painting of the Holy Communion scene offers a taller and more complex deployment, as compared to the one in Alba-Iulia. The paintings if the Viennese master Franz Anton Maulbertsch enrich the cultural heritage of Transylvania, shaping the influences of the late baroque towards Eastern Europe.