Johann Michael Rottmayr

Johann Michael Rottmayr was an artist active across the final three decades of the seventeenth century (1670-1700). Rottmayr’s documented output centers heavily on mythological and allegorical subjects, evidenced by four known paintings and two drawings represented in major American institutions.

The known body of work emphasizes Classical narratives, focusing on dramatic episodes drawn from Greco-Roman mythology. These compositions explore complex scenes of conflict, divine intervention, and heroism, consistent with the historical subject matter favored during his active period. Important works held in collections include the celestial conflict depicted in Jove casts his Thunderbolts at the Rebellious Giants and the dramatic narrative of Apollo Granting Phaeton Permission to Drive the Chariot of the Sun.

Other notable Johann Michael Rottmayr paintings include Diana and Endymion, The Triumph of Courage and Wisdom, and Venus and Cupid at the Forge of Vulcan. The artist’s historical significance is established through the preservation of his works in high-profile collections, including the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The presence of these works in the public domain allows for scholarly study and the generation of museum-quality prints.