Artwork
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1516 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As an oil-on-lime panel work, the composition centers on the intimate grouping of these figures, a subject known as the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.
Created in 1516, this religious painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts the three generations of the Holy Family: Saint Anne, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ Child. As an oil-on-lime panel work, the composition centers on the intimate grouping of these figures, a subject known as the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. The imagery emphasizes the lineage and sanctity of Jesus through the presence of his mother and grandmother, reflecting the devotional focus of early 16th-century religious art.
The work serves as a visual representation of the family unit within a sacred context, highlighting the theological importance of Anne's role in salvation history.
Technique & Style
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is an oil painting on a lime wood panel, measuring 61 × 40 cm. The work exemplifies Lucas Cranach the Elder's approach to religious subjects during his mature period. The choice of oil on panel reflects the Northern European tradition of the early sixteenth century, with the lime wood support providing a smooth, stable surface characteristic of German Renaissance practice. The relatively modest dimensions suggest a devotional function, likely intended for private contemplation rather than altarpiece display.
The medium of oil paint allowed for the detailed rendering and subtle tonal gradations that distinguish Cranach's handling of sacred figures.
History & Provenance
The work titled The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne was created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1516 as an oil painting on lime panel. It was commissioned by the Boisserée family and entered the Bavarian State Painting Collections, specifically the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on public view. The painting depicts Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, reflecting a devotional subject typical of early sixteenth‑century German art.
Overview
Lucas Cranach the Elder’s oil on canvas, dated 1516, presents a small devotional scene titled The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. The work is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display as an example of early‑Renaissance religious painting.
Context
Created at a time when Protestant reform was beginning to influence German art, the work reflects a conventional Catholic iconography still prevalent in Cranach’s early career. The serene outdoor setting and the emphasis on familial bonds align with contemporary devotional trends that favored personal contemplation over grandiose narrative scenes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
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