Who painted Female Portrait?

Female Portrait was painted by Lucas Cranach the Younger in 1564.

Where can I see Female Portrait?

Female Portrait is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Female Portrait?

Female Portrait is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Female Portrait?

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

Artwork

Female Portrait

Lucas Cranach the Younger , 1564

Female Portrait is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Younger. It dates from 1564 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1564, this oil painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger depicts a seated woman rendered with the meticulous detail characteristic of the Northern Renaissance. The work is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s role as a portraitist within the German Renaissance tradition established by his father.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown seated at a table, her hands resting calmly on its surface. She wears a black dress with a high white collar, a red skirt, and a feathered black hat, complemented by gold chains around her neck and elaborately patterned black‑and‑gold sleeves. The composed expression and luxurious attire suggest status and composure, inviting contemplation of her social position.

Technique & Style

Cranach the Younger employs a precise, fine‑brush technique to render the textures of fabric and metal. The contrast between the dark, plain background and the richly detailed clothing draws the viewer’s focus to the figure. Attention to the sheen of the gold chains and the intricate patterns on the sleeves reflects the artist’s skill in depicting materiality.

History & Provenance

The portrait has remained in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Northern Renaissance art. Its attribution to Cranach the Younger aligns with documented works produced during his active period in the mid‑16th century.

Context

Painted during the later phase of the Northern Renaissance, the work illustrates the continuation of the Cranach workshop’s portrait tradition. While his father, Lucas Cranach the Elder, set the stylistic foundation, the younger Cranach maintained the family’s reputation for rendering elite patrons with clarity and elegance.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Lucas Cranach the Younger

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.

Museum

Kunsthistorisches Museum

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