Saints, goddesses and red hats
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach, court painter at Wittenberg in the years of the Reformation. Judith in a red hat with white plumes, her sword upright over the head of Holofernes, Venus on a round panel with Cupid beside her, Paris in armour as three goddesses wait and a white horse looks on, Saint Barbara kneeling in red among soldiers, Saint Maurice in silver armour, and the Duke of Saxony in black against red. A workshop Luther hangs with them.
As a puzzle
Bright and readable. Cranach draws firm outlines and fills them with strong reds, greens and gold, so the hats, sleeves and armour come quickly. The black grounds behind Judith, Venus and the duke are the slow part, and Saint Maurice is a tall, thin strip that wants few pieces. Saint Barbara and Paris, full of figures and landscape, take a higher count well.
A good size here: 50–200 pieces.
Also filed under Northern Renaissance
Subjects here: Sacred ArtMyths and LegendsPortraits
6 pictures, pick one to build
