Who painted Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1534.

Where can I see Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Lady?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Lady are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Lucas Cranach the Elder , 1534

Portrait of a Lady is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1534 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Technique & Style

Created in 1534, this portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder is executed in oil paint on a beech wood support.

Created in 1534, this portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder is executed in oil paint on a beech wood support. The work measures 51.5 cm in height and 36 cm in width, presenting a formal composition focused on a female subject. Stylistically, the piece adheres to the conventions of the Northern Renaissance, utilizing the distinct handling characteristic of Cranach's workshop during this period. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

History & Provenance

Created in 1534, this portrait was executed by the German Renaissance master Lucas Cranach the Elder. The work is painted on a panel of beech wood, measuring 51.5 cm in height and 36 cm in width. While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the identity of the sitter remain undocumented in the available records, the piece has been securely dated to the mid-1530s based on stylistic analysis and historical documentation.

Today, the painting forms part of the permanent collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is preserved as a significant example of Cranach's portraiture.

The Portrait of a Lady is held by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is accessioned under the institution’s collection inventory. It was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1534 and has been part of the museum’s display since its acquisition, appearing in various exhibitions focused on Northern Renaissance portraiture. The work is catalogued in the museum’s records as a beech‑wood panel painting measuring 51.5 cm in height and 36 cm in width.

Context

The Portrait of a Lady painted in 1534 by Lucas Cranach the Elder is recognized as a significant example of Northern Renaissance portraiture. It is housed in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it remains part of the museum's permanent display of German Renaissance works. Scholars have examined its stylistic elements and iconography to contextualize it within Cranach's broader artistic output and the development of portraiture in early 16th-century Europe.

Overview

Created in 1534, this oil portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder presents a solitary female sitter. The composition isolates the figure against a muted dark backdrop, emphasizing her facial expression and hands. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman of refined appearance, her pale complexion and light brown hair framed by a jeweled cap. She is dressed in a dark, fur‑trimmed cloak over a white collar, suggesting a status of modest wealth. Her composed pose, hands resting in her lap, conveys a sense of quiet dignity typical of courtly portraiture of the period.