The reclining female nude composition was based on an ancient text describing a spring or fountain guarded by a statue of a nymph. It was a motif repeated several times in Cranach's workshop.
The Latin inscription on the fountain represents the lasciviously smiling nymph's words as she looks out at
The reclining female nude composition was based on an ancient text describing a spring or fountain guarded by a statue of a nymph. It was a motif repeated several times in Cranach's workshop.
The Latin inscription on the fountain represents the lasciviously smiling nymph's words as she looks out at us through half-closed eyes: 'I, the nymph of the sacred fountain, am resting; do not disturb me.'
Such seductive nudes are characteristic of Cranach's mature style.
[Walker Art Gallery, revised 2016]
- Attribution
- Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Walker Art Gallery, revised 2016] |
- Production date
- 1534
Production date
1534 | [dated] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support:51.3 x 76.8 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support:51.3 x 76.8 cm
[Walker Art Gallery, revised 2016]
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the fountain: winged serpent and dated '1534'; in black paint
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the fountain: winged serpent and dated '1534'; in black paint
- Owner
- Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
- Repository
- Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
- Location
- Liverpool
- CDA ID
- UK_WAG_1223
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR259
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/UK_WAG_1223/