Lucas Cranach: From German Myth to Reformation (Renaissance Lives )
Description
A revealing new account of the life and work of this early modern German printmaker.
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.
Praise for Lucas Cranach: From German Myth to Reformation (Renaissance Lives )
"Nelson’s new book overflows with original, fascinating insights. It provides an excellent analysis of Cranach’s career trajectory and the major themes in his artworks, deftly interconnected with the intellectual and religious developments of his time: an ideal exemplar of how to communicate serious research through witty, engaging writing."
— Jeanne Nuechterlein, author of 'Hans Holbein: The Artist in a Changing World'