Search:: Artists Alphabetically 100 Greatest Painters 50 Greatest Paintings Art Movements
Lucas Cranach The
Elder
1472-1553
One of the Greatest Painters Of All Time
German
Northern Renaissance Painter, Etcher and Woodblock Printmaker
Artistically and
stylistically influenced the following painters;
-Hieronymus
Bosch,
Matthias Grünewald,
and
Albrecht Dürer
Education - apprenticed to his father Hans Moller
Cause of death - old age, he was 81
Lucas Cranach was born into a family of creative genius. His father was an artist and young Lucas's first art teacher. The artist was a staunch Lutheran yet loved to paint erotic Edens filled with nubile young Eves frolicking with Adam surrounded by sweet tempered forest creatures. Like all great painters of his day Cranach was a master of Biblical symbolism. He created artworks that appealed to the illiterate peasant class as well as rich merchants, clergy, and royalty. His masterpieces contain layers of religious symbolic meaning and at the same time invite the viewer to uncover their own meaning and connection to the artwork. William H. Hunt asserted "When language was not transcendental enough to complete the meaning of a revelation, symbols were relied upon for heavenly teaching, and familiar images, chosen from the known, were made to mirror the unknown spiritual truth."
During his long life Cranach
served as a member of the
Wittenberg's town council as
well as mayor. He became one
of the most cherished and
wealthiest citizens of
Wittenberg and lived a long
productive life, painting
until his eyesight failed.
The great artist passed away
at the age of be 81.
Key Descriptive Words and Phrases associated with Painters of the Northern Renaissance- rebirth, Antwerp, commerce, northern Europe, merchant class, Bruges, mythological scenes, genre painting, landscapes, portraits, scenes of daily life, Christian symbolism. moralizing overtones, human vices, lust, publication of Della Pittura, a book about the laws of mathematical perspective for artists, spiritually significant, illuminated manuscript, idealized biblical themes, scriptorium, illuminator, Age of Discovery, axonometric drawing, curiosity about the natural world, realistic use of colors and light, allegorical, Gospel parables, The Blackdeath, landscapes with peasants
If you feel you have worthwhile information you would like to contribute we would love to hear from you. We collect essential biographical information and artist quotes from folks all over the globe and appreciate your participation. When submitting please, if possible, site the source and provide English translation. Email to millardmulch@gmail.com
© HistoryofPainters.com If you like this page and wish to share
it, you are welcome to link to it, with our thanks.
Refrences - The French Impressionists (1860-1900), by Camille Mauclair