The present painting is based on a vertical composition with arched top of similar dimensions in the forechamber to the Reiche Kapelle, Munich. Schwarz, a Bavarian court painter is best known for painting the high altar of the Church of St. Michael in Munich. A variant of this composition attributed to Hans Rottenhammer was offered by Phillips, New York, June 10, 1981, lot 25. A signed and dated gouache of 1633 by Friedrich Brentel of The Last Judgement sold at Sotheby's, London, Feb. 18, 1991, lot 286 attests to the success of this composition which was also treated by Nicolas Elias (1591-1653) and Jacob de Backer (1560-1589).