Crescent Moon Madonna with Jesus child was executed until 1850s on the gold background with Christogram (ligated) MA— Christian monogram of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Our Lady, Madonna, Mediatrix of All Graces. (Ancient Medieval monogram).

Despite the fact that the painting is not signed, but due to the fully identical style, composition, museum quality, time of creation, and a comparison with other well-known paintings by the same artist gives grounds to assert that this painting was painted by important German Nazarene Franz Ittenbach (1813 - 1879). For comparison see additional photos of other madonnas paintings by F.Ittenbach.

Franz Ittenbach (1813 –  1879) was very important German religious painter. Itenbach began his art education as a student of Kaufmann, then left to study under Franz Katz in Cologne. In 1832, Ittenbach went to became a pupil, at the age of 19, of the Duesseldorf Academy, where he also received private lessons from its president, Schadow. He was a member of the Nazarene movement and associated himself mainly with three of his friends and fellow-students: Karl and Andreas Müller and Ernst Deger. The four men travelled about in Germany, studying and painting together. From 1839 to 1842, Ittenbach lived in italy. On his return, he stayed in Munich for some time. In 1849, he returned to Düsseldorf. From 1859 until his death, he was a member of the artist club "Malkasten". Ittenbach was exceedingly religious and persistently declined any commissions for mythological or pagan subjects. As a rule, he devoted his energies exclusively to church decoration. He would precede the execution of his greatest works with devout religious exercises, including confession and communion. His inest paintings are said to be found at Bonn, in the church of St. Remigius, and in Breslau in a church dedicated to the same saint. There is also a remarkable "Holy Family" dated 1861, painted for Prince Liechtenstein in his private chapel near Vienna.Most of his other works can be found in various Catholic churches in Germany. His only important fresco painted in 1844 in a church at Remagen. Ittenbach was a popular painter in court circles, a member of most of the European academies, and the recipient of many medals and decorations. He painted a few portraits, but they were unimportant; his main work was his altar-pieces.

Provenance: German private estate. 

Literature : Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon", Leiptig, 1999.

Technique: oil on canvas. Luxuriousy original period gold-plated frame.Inscription: unsigned.

Measurements: unframed w 13 3/4" x 21 3/4" (35 x 55,5 cm); framed 18 1/8" x 26 1/8" (46 x 66,5 cm)

Condition: in good condition, no paintlosses, original canvas.