ACHTUNG: Sie befinden sich im Museum-Online-Archiv 1999. Die Inhalte dieser Seite sind unter Umständen nicht mehr aktuell.ACHTUNG: Sie befinden sich im Museum-Online-Archiv 1999. Die Inhalte dieser Seite sind unter Umständen nicht mehr aktuell.Johann Christof Haas (1753-1829)
27.12.1753 born as a merchant's son in Reutte (Untermarkt), attended a catholic school, very eager student in Franz Anton Zeiller's painting apprenticeship, scholarship at Johann Mang Amann, art painting education in Italy. Further life unknown, September 5, 1829, Johann Christof Haas died poor and unmarried in Schwäbisch Gmünd.
Famous works:
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... a
fairy tale
Once upon a time there was a small merchant in Reutte who was sick and tired of being alone. So he married a nice woman and shortly after she bore a boy called Johann Christof. A good fairy bewitched him and so he was among the best students at Franz Anton Zeiller's painting apprenticeship. Jakob Mang Amann having a genial idea gave him a scholarship and financed Johann Christof's education of art-painting in Italy.
The fairy fulfilled him three wishes so Haas could create his most favourite paintings in Breitenwang, Reutte and Kreckelmoos. In Kreckelmoos he painted the ceiling fresco because he wanted to reach great heights. Since the fairy turned away from him to help another man Johann Christof painted no longer famous pictures. On September 5, 1829 the fairy returned to Haas for the last time and let him die at Schwäbisch Gmünd because Haas has always been thankless. He's never been content with only three wishes.
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The foot washing
oil on canvas, 18th century
Maria Magdalena, kneeling in front of Jesus spreads her arms and bows her head in a devoted way. The bowl in front of her is filled with water for cleaning Jesus' feet. Jesus blesses Maria Magdalena. The other three men sitting at the table watch them curiously and critically. One man glances at the door.
Each figure wears a big coloured cloth. The hall the scene happens doesn't seem to fit in Jesus' time. Cloths cover the walls ot the hall, valuable gold and silver crockery is situated on a sideboard. On both sides of the entrance there are columns and a curtain almost covers it. The hall and the figures don't really fit to each other.
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Maria Magdalena & the King
Creeping on the floor and scrubbing the floor Maria Magdalenas suddenly views Jesus’ feet and falls under their spell. Feet, white like ivory, senbible like chery bloom, well formed. Slowly her hands come nearer in shaky motions and she falls in trance immediatly. As his halo begins to glow above Jesus’ head his disciple Lukas instantly knows that Jesus is moved by something. Also Petrus’ lascivious sight who leans over the table is turned towards Jesus. Markus whose face is convulsed cries out: „Jesus Christ, holy Mary, God’s Mother, what game of joy spreads out in front of my face.“ Jesus wets his hands iroly and grins at him: „Let it be, Markus!“ Johannes who watched the spectacle calls over some onlookers. Lukas who is angered wants to finish this embarrasment, but Jesus calls out: „Don’t let the violence rule over our lifes. Love your next as I do!“
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