Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
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
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.
Technique & Style
Cranach employs a restrained palette, allowing the delicate gold embroidery on the brown sleeves to catch the eye. The tiny floral and swirl motifs are rendered with fine, precise brushwork, while the smooth modeling of the skin contrasts with the textured fur lining. The overall effect is one of clarity and controlled elegance, devoid of extraneous background details.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has been documented in several European collections before entering the Statens Museum for Kunst. The museum acquired the work as part of its 20th‑century efforts to assemble a representative collection of Northern Renaissance art, where it now serves as an example of Cranach’s portraiture during his mature period.
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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