Portrait of Frederick III (1463-1525), the Wise, Elector of Saxony

Attributions

Production date

Dimensions

• Dimensions of support: 20 x 14.6 cm

• [Christie's online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/studio-of-lucas-cranach-the-elder-5403340-details.aspx; accessed 01 March 2018]

Signature / Dating

• Artist's insignia at the left: serpent with elevated wings, facing left, and date '1532'

• [cda 2018]

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

• Label (printed paper on panel):

• (top right) 'Friderich der Drit Chur- fur[s]t vnd Herzog zu Sachssen.'

• (bottom) 'Fridrich bin ich billich genand Schönen frid ich erhielt im land. Durch gros vernunfft gedult und glück Widder manchen erzbösen tuck. Das land ich zieret mit gebew Und Stifft ein hohe Schul auffs new, Zu Wittenberg im Sachssen land Inn der welt die ward bekand Denn aus der selb kam Gottes wort Und thet gros ding an manchem ort. Das Zepstlich Reich störgt es nidder Und bracht rechten glauben widder. Zum Keisar ward erkorn ich Des mein alter beschweret sich. Dafur ich [Keisar Car]l erwelt Von dem mich nicht wand gonst noch gelt.'

• ('I am rightly called Friedrich, for I maintained a blessed peace in my domain with great wisdom, patience, and luck, despite the machinations of a number of rogues. I graced my lands with new buildings and endowed a new university at Wittenberg in Saxony that became famous throughout the world, for from it the Word of God came forth and wrought great change in many places. It destroyed the papal empire and brought back the true faith. They elected me emperor, but my old age protested, so I chose Emperor Charles [Charles V, 1500-1558] and neither favors nor money could dissuade me.')

• [Christie's Online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/studio-of-lucas-cranach-the-elder-5403340-details.aspx; accessed 01 March 2018]