Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony

Title

[cda 2020]

Painting on softwood

Medium

Painting on softwood

[unpublished examination report, Blumenroth, Dietz, Heydenreich 01.11.2016]

This panel depicts a bust-length portrait of Johann (1468-1532), the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony in three quarter profile against a neutral background, facing to his right. He is wearing a fur cloak and black cap, and unusually for this type of portrait his hands are also visible. He has a

[cda 2020]

Attribution: Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Christie's online database, accessed 12.10.2020]
[unpublished examination report, Blumenroth, Dietz, Heydenreich 01.11.2016]

Production date: after 1945

Production date

after 1945

[cda 2020]

Dimensions: Dimensions of support: 49.3 x 43 cm

Dimensions

Dimensions of support: 49.3 x 43 cm
[unpublished examination report, Blumenroth, Dietz, Heydenreich 01.11.2016]

Signature / Dating: none

Inscriptions and Labels

Reverse of the panel

at the top centre: paper label with typewritten text, attached with sellotape (at the left): 'Pendiment-Reuezüge …

Inscriptions and Labels

Stamps, Seals, Labels:

Reverse of the panel
- at the top centre: paper label with typewritten text, attached with sellotape (at the left): 'Pendiment-Reuezüge // v. Cranach "Joh. der // Beständiger-Kurfürst // zu Sachsen." //'
(at the right): 'Azurit-blau // Bleiweiß // div. Ocker // Rebschwarz // Zinnober // Bleistamat // (gelb b. Ring // z. B. )'

Owner: Private Collection
Repository: Private Collection

CDA ID: PRIVATE_NONE-P469
FR (1978) Nr.: FR-none
Persistent Link: https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P469/

Provenance

private collection, Germany
[unpublished examination report, Blumenroth, Dietz, Heydenreich 01.11.2016]

Johann the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony, after 1945

Images

Technical studies

01.11.2016Technical examination / Scientific analysis

Infrared reflectography
X-radiography
UV-light photography
Stereomicroscopy
Instrumental material analysis

Support

XRF analysis (Niton XLt), Infrared reflectography (Osiris, 900-1700nm), X-radiography (Seifert ERESCO 150KV/0,5mA / Examion CR 3X-pro)

- the panel consists of a number of vertically aligned softwood planks; c. 0.7 cm thick, bevelled (so the edges are c. 0.5 cm thick)

Paint Layers and Gilding

Employing XRF spectroscopy the following elements were detected, and by comparing optical characteristics the following pigments were identified:

Blue (background): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Cu: copper blue (azurite?), Fe: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Black: Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Cu: copper blue (azurite?), Fe, Mn: ochre/ black iron oxide?, Cr: yellow, red and green pigments containing chrome (retouches?), Ca: chalk/gypsum

Flesh paint (cheek): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Hg: vermilion, Fe: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Brown (hair): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Cu: copper blue (azurite?), Hg: vermilion, Fe, Mn: ochre/iron oxide, Cr: yellow, red and green pigments containing chrome, Ca: chalk/gypsum

White (shirt): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Cu: copper blue (azurite?), Co: blue pigment containing cobalt?, Fe: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Brown (fur): Sn, Pb: lead tin yellow I/lead white, Fe, Mn: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Red (ring): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white, Sn, Pb: lead tin yellow I, Cu: copper blue (azurite?), Hg: vermilion, Fe: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Yellowish white (ring): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white/ lithopone, Ba: barium sulphate/lithopone, Sn, Pb: lead tin yellow I, Cu: copper blue (azurite?) Hg: vermilion, Fe: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

Blue (ring): Pb: lead white, Zn: zinc white/lithopone, Cu: copper blue (azurite?) Hg: vermilion, Fe, Mn: ochre/iron oxide, Ca: chalk/gypsum

[Unpublished examination report, Blumrnroth, Dietz, Heydenreich, 01.11.2016]

Condition Reports

Date01.11.2016

The panel is in a stable condition

Support:

on the reverse of the panel there are numerous woodworm exit holes, some sanded down
the reverse also exhibits a number of indentations caused by nails and some staining

Paint Layers:

small losses, predominantly along the edge of the panel, but also in the picture plane
the paint is abraded at the edges and in the picture plane
there is extensive craquelée

[Unpublished examination report, Blumenroth, Dietz, Heydenreich, 01.11.2016]

Versions

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-P469/ (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-P469/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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