Who painted Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I?

Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1545-01-01.

Where can I see Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I?

Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I?

Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I?

Museum-quality prints of Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I

Lucas Cranach the Elder , 1545

Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1545 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Cranach depicts Ferdinand, identifiable by his regalia, positioned at the center in a landscape framed by the Elbe River and the castle's architecture.

The painting commemorates a dynastic hunt held at Torgau Castle in 1545 to honor Ferdinand I's elevation to King of the Romans. Cranach depicts Ferdinand, identifiable by his regalia, positioned at the center in a landscape framed by the Elbe River and the castle's architecture.

Symbolic elements underscore political alliances: the Golden Fleece, an order of chivalry, hangs prominently, while the presence of John Frederick I of Saxony and Sibylle of Cleves signals the alignment between the Habsburgs and Saxon electors. The hunt itself, a noble pastime, signifies both prestige and the ruler's virtuous engagement with nature, while the inclusion of courtiers and the riverine setting evokes prosperity and territorial stability under imperial patronage.

Technique & Style

Created in 1545, Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I is executed in oil paint on a beech wood panel. The work measures 118 cm in height and 177 cm in width, presenting a substantial history painting format typical of Lucas Cranach the Elder's later court commissions. As a history painting, the composition depicts a complex narrative scene featuring specific historical figures and elements such as the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, a crossbow, and the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The medium of oil on wood allows for the detailed rendering of the hunt, the castle architecture, and the landscape elements including a bridge and a boat. The painting remains in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is displayed in Hall 055B.

History & Provenance

The work titled Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I was created in 1545 by Lucas Cranach the Elder as an oil painting on beech wood, commissioned to celebrate the Habsburg emperor's visit to Torgau. According to the internal catalogue, the piece measures 118 cm by 177 cm and belongs to the history-painting genre. After its execution it entered the Spanish royal collection, first owned by Elisabeth Farnese and later passed to Charles III of Spain, eventually being housed in the Museo del Prado where it is displayed in Hall 055B.

The painting is held in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, where it is inventoried as oil on beech wood, measuring 118 cm in height and 177 cm in width. It entered the museum's holdings from the Spanish royal collection; prior to that, it was owned by Elisabeth Farnese and later by Charles III of Spain.

Overview

Lucas Cranach the Elder completed Hunt at the Castle of Torgau in honour of Ferdinand I in 1545. This oil painting captures a grand hunting event, a popular subject for courtly commissions. It is considered a history painting, depicting a specific occasion and notable figures of the era, and is now housed in the Museo del Prado.