Lucas Cranach: from German myth to Reformation

Abstract

A revealing new account of the life and work of this early modern German artist. This captivating biography brings Lucas Cranach the Elder into the spotlight for the twenty-first century. The illuminating narrative unveils an artist whose vision transcended personal brilliance as he sought to elevate a nascent nation and foster a sense of community with his work. Perhaps Cranach's most remarkable achievement lay in forging a robust Lutheran community, endowed with a resounding message of salvation. Using prints (the prevailing medium of mass communication) and multiple versions of paintings, he developed an intricate symbolism that resonated with the populace in early modern Germany. Jennifer Nelson also explores his extensive repertoire of female nudes and shows how these seductive artworks not only tantalized his patrons but constructed for them a deep history of Germany's notional connections with ancient Greece and Rome.

Contents

Introduction: the godfather of the Reformation -- The Cranach brand emerges -- The mythographer of women: a German renaissance -- The look of Luther's Reformation -- Coda: the women look back.