Artwork
Coat of Arms of John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, called the Magnanimous
Coat of Arms of John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, called the Magnanimous is a print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Younger. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2017.274
- Credit line
- Anonymous Gift in honor of Jane Glaubinger
About this work
This painting shows a coat of arms with symbols and colors. It was made for John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, a important person in Germany. The coat of arms has a lot of details, like animals and plants, which were likely chosen for their special meanings. You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of Lucas Cranach (German, 1515–1586).
Overview
This 1546 painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger is a heraldic representation of John Frederic, Elector of Saxony. It showcases the artist's skill in detailed symbolic imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the elector's coat of arms, featuring various animals and plants that likely held specific significance. These symbols conveyed John Frederic's political and dynastic identity.
Technique & Style
The painting exemplifies the Cranach family's expertise in portraiture and heraldic art, characteristic of German Renaissance style. The intricate details and use of color demonstrate Cranach's technical proficiency.
History & Provenance
Created by Lucas Cranach the Younger, son of the elder Lucas Cranach, the painting is now held by The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Younger (German: Lucas Cranach der Jüngere, IPA:; 4 October 1515 – 25 January 1586) was a German Renaissance painter and portraitist, the son of Lucas Cranach the Elder and brother of Hans Cranach.
