(Graz 1703–1761 Vienna) Worshipping the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:4-6, 19), signed at lower right F. C. Janneck, oil on copper, 39 x 58 cm, framed,

Provenance: Vienna private collection.

Franz Christoph Janneck created virtuoso ‚cabinet pictures‘ that numbered among the most excellent works of his time. Besides Johann Georg Platzer, he was the chief exponent of this genre in Austria. „And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him: ‚Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.‘“ And Aaron collected all the gold and made a golden calf, to which the Israelites made offerings and began a wild dance. „And the Lord said unto Moses: ‚Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.‘ And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tablets of the testimony were in his hands.“ When Moses approached the camp, he saw the people dancing around the calf. „And Moses‘ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount…“

Provenance: Vienna private collection. Franz Christoph Janneck created virtuoso ‚cabinet pictures‘ that numbered among the most excellent works of his time. Besides Johann Georg Platzer, he was the chief exponent of this genre in Austria. „And when