Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon

Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon

Title

Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon

[cda 2019]

Painting on wood (beech?)

Medium

Painting on wood (beech?)

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

The reformer is shown here as a half-length figure, facing left against a light blue background. He is wearing a black academic gown and a white shirt. In contrast with the gown his face is executed with great precision: it depicts the 35 year old with a sparse beard and

The reformer is shown here as a half-length figure, facing left against a light blue background. He is wearing a black academic gown and a white shirt. In contrast with the gown his face is executed with great precision: it depicts the 35 year old with a sparse beard and thin brown hair, framing his high forehead in uncombed locks. He holds a book in his hands.

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder and Workshop

Attribution

Lucas Cranach the Elder and Workshop

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, No. 10]

Production dates
after 1532
about 1537 - 1540

Production dates

after 1532

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

about 1537 - 1540

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 37.7 x 23.2 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 37.7 x 23.2 cm

  • Dimensions including frame: 47.3 x 35.1 cm

  • [Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia right edge above the sitter's shoulder: serpent with dropped wings (probably not genuine)

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia right edge above the sitter's shoulder: serpent with dropped wings (probably not genuine)

Inscriptions and Labels

on the reverse: - stamp: 'Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel'
on the frame:

  • adhesive label with a stamp: 'Herzog August Bibliothek …

Inscriptions and Labels

Stamps, Seals, Labels:

  • on the reverse: - stamp: 'Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel'

  • on the frame:

    • adhesive label with a stamp: 'Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel' and the inventory no.: 'B101'

  • [Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

Owner
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel
Repository
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel
Location
Wolfenbüttel
CDA ID
DE_HABW_B101
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_HABW_B101/

Provenance

  • unknown
  • probably transferred from the property of Duke Rudolph August of Braunschweig-Lüneburg 1702 to the university library, Helmstedt, after the dissolution of the university in 1812 it was transferred to Göttingen and returned after 1815 to Wolfenbüttel
  • 1823 first recorded in the library, Wolfenbüttel
    [Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012 71-74 No. 10 Figs. 10, 10.1
AuthorMichael Wenzel
TitleDie Gemälde der Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel
Place of PublicationWiesbaden
Year of Publication2012
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

The execution of the signature is not convincing (later addition?), whereas the portrait is of high-quality. The painting can be dated to after 1532, and if the signature is genuine to after 1537. Below the insignia there is a second winged serpent from a later date that was not removed during the conservation treatment.

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, no. 10]

  • Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon, after 1532

Images

Compare images
  • overall
  • overall
  • reverse

Technical studies

Support

- wooden panel, cradled on the reverse

Framing

- blackish-brown oak members with wave moulding

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, No. 10]

Condition Reports

  • numerous long scratches in the face

  • craquelé wich pronounced vertical crack formation

  • scuffed at the edges

  • spots of dirt and stains

  • cradled on the reverse

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, No. 10]

Conservation History

Date1950 -

'1950 conservation treatment by Wernicke (Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum) and Herzig (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Braunschweig (Office of Public Works, Braunschweig)'

[Cat. Wolfenbüttel 2012, 71-74, No. 10]

  • conservation treatment by Herzig
  • conservation treatment by Wernicke

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_HABW_B101/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_HABW_B101/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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