'An image charged with dynamism, fantasy and eroticism, Melancholia is one of the most iconic and enigmatic subjects in Cranach's oeuvre. Its iconography, which is highly original, complex and somewhat unsettling, warrants a detailed description. Set in an austere chamber, with a small opening to the right on to a
'An image charged with dynamism, fantasy and eroticism, Melancholia is one of the most iconic and enigmatic subjects in Cranach's oeuvre. Its iconography, which is highly original, complex and somewhat unsettling, warrants a detailed description. Set in an austere chamber, with a small opening to the right on to a rocky landscape, a winged woman sits, dressed in a lavish vermilion dress, her long hair sensuously flowing down her shoulders, seemingly preoccupied with the sharpening of a wooden stick. In front of her, eight nude children dance frantically to the sound of a drum and pipe, played by two of their companions, while five further children have collapsed in exhaustion on the floor. Dominating the upper third of the composition, a threatening black cloud filled with wild and fanciful creatures permeates the space. Alluring young women, hovering on flying carpets and charging horses, use their carnal charms to subjugate men, while hybrid demons, reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch's most frightening creations, complete the devilish procession. The head of an old bearded man emerges ominously from the far right of the cloud, with the word MELANCHOLIA projecting from his lips towards the winged figure below.'
[Christie's Online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-melancholia-5813547-details.aspx; accessed 29 Nov 2017]
- Attribution
- Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Christie's Online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-melancholia-5813547-details.aspx; accessed 29 Nov 2017] |
- Production dates
- about 1533
1533
Production dates
about 1533 | [cda 2017] |
1533 | after [Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 125, No. 277] dated '1533'; [Christie's Online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-melancholia-5813547-details.aspx; accessed 29 Nov 2017] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 52.4 x 74 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 52.4 x 74 cm
[Christie's Online database; https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-melancholia-5813547-details.aspx; accessed 29 Nov 2017]
differing dimensions at FR: 62 x 84 cm
[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 125, No. 277]
- Signature / Dating
None
Signature / Dating
None
[cda 2017]
Artist's insignia lower edge and dated '1533'
[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 125, No. 277]
- Inscriptions and Labels
Next to the cloud: 'MELANCHOLIA'
Inscriptions and Labels
Inscriptions, Badges:
Next to the cloud: 'MELANCHOLIA'
- Owner
- Private Collection
- Repository
- Private Collection
- CDA ID
- PRIVATE_NONE-P149
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR277
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P149/