Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony

Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony

Title

Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony

[cda 2015]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 222, No. 126]

A bust-length portrait of Elector Johann I., called the Steadfast against a blue background. He is wearing a fur-trimmed cloak and a black beret.

Attributions
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop)

Attributions

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[cda 2015]

Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop)

[Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 222, No. 126]

Production date
1532

Production date

1532

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 20.3 x 14.4 x 0.3 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 20.3 x 14.4 x 0.3 cm

  • [Heydenreich, cda 2013]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia at the right edge: serpent (with elevated wings) and dated '1532'

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia at the right edge: serpent (with elevated wings) and dated '1532'

Inscriptions and Labels
  • upper left edge: printed paper label:
    'Johans der Erst / Churfurst
    vnd Hertzog zu Sachssen.'

  • lower part, in verse:
    'Nach …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • upper left edge:
  • printed paper label:

  • 'Johans der Erst / Churfurst

  • vnd Hertzog zu Sachssen.'

    • lower part, in verse:
  • 'Nach meines lieben bruders end Bleib auff mir das gantz Regimend. Mit grosser sorg und mancher fahr Da der Bawr toll und töricht war. Die auffruhr fast inn allem land Wie gros fewr im wald entbrand. Welches ich halff dempffen mit Gott Der deutsches land errett aus not. Der Rottengeister feind ich war Hielt im land das wort rein und klar. Gros drawen bittern hass und neid Umb Gottes worts willen ich leid. Frey bedank ichs aus herzem grund Und personlich selbst ich da stund. Vor dem Keisar und gantzen reich Von Fürstengschach vor nie des gleich. Solchs gab mir mein Gott besunder Und vor der wellt was ein wunder. Umb land und leut zu bringen mich Hofft beid freund und feind gewislich. Ferdinand zu Römischem König gemacht: Und sein wahl ich allein anfacht. Auff das das alte Recht bestünd Inn der gulden Bullen gegründ. Wiewol das grossen zorn erregt Mich doch mehr recht denn gunst bewegt. Das herz gab Gott dem Keisar zart Mein guder freund zu letzt er ward. Das ich mein end in frid beschlos Dast sehr den Teuffel das verdros. Erfarn hab ichs und zeugen thar Wie uns die Schrift sagt und ist war. Wer Gott mit ernst vertrawen kan Der bleibt ein unverdorben man. Es zürne Teuffel odder welt Den sieg er doch zu letzt behelt.'

Stamps, Seals, Labels:

  • None

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P090
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P090/

Provenance

  • German private collection
    [cda 2013]

Exhibitions

Düsseldorf 2017, No. 126

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017 222-223 No. 126
EditorGunnar Heydenreich, Daniel Görres, Beat Wismer
TitleLucas Cranach der Ältere. Meister - Marke - Moderne. [anlässlich der Ausstellung "Cranach. Meister - Marke - Moderne", Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, 08. April 2017 - 30. Juli 2017]
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2017
  • Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony, 1532

Images

Compare images
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • reverse
  • reverse
  • irr
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  • detail

Technical studies

07. 2013Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr
  • irr
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- dry, black drawing material, dark chalk

Type/Ductus:

- economic and probably in part copied or traced underdrawing

- fine lines

Function:

- relatively binding for the final painted version (where the lines are visible); the lines delineate the main contours and describe some facial features, no representation of volume

Deviations:

- minor corrections were made to forms during the painting process: e. e. the contours of the hat; no changes

INTERPRETATION

Attributions:

- not possible

[Sandner, Smith-Contini, Heydenreich, cda 2016]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

Support

- wooden support 3 mm thick

- broad bevel along the edges on the reverse

[Heydenreich, cda 2013]

Condition Reports

Date2013 -

  • yellowed varnish

  • retouching and overpaint, particularly in the background and in the area of the inscription

  • brown coating on the reverse

[cda 2015]

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P090/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P090/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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