Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous, Elector of Saxony

Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous, Elector of Saxony

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Christie's online, accessed 12.01.2024]

'This small portrait represents one of Lucas Cranach’s greatest patrons, John Frederick the Magnanimous, the fourth and last Elector of Saxony in the Ernestine Saxon line. [... He] holds a hat [or muff?] surmounted by a golden garland of berries and pearls, the top of which is just visible along

'This small portrait represents one of Lucas Cranach’s greatest patrons, John Frederick the Magnanimous, the fourth and last Elector of Saxony in the Ernestine Saxon line. [... He] holds a hat [or muff?] surmounted by a golden garland of berries and pearls, the top of which is just visible along the lower edge of the present painting. A label on the reverse presents the coat of arms for the Elector of Saxony’s office of Imperial Arch-Marshal: Per fess sable and argent two swords in saltire gules (two red swords crossed on a black and white field).'

[Christie's online, accessed 12.01.2024]

Attribution
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Christie's online, accessed 12.01.2024]

Dating
about 1535

Dating

about 1535

[cda 2024]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 14.9 x 13 cm

Dimensions

Signature / Dating

none

Inscriptions

- around his collar the letter 'S' is embroidered with pearls in a repeat pattern

Inscriptions

Inscriptions:

  • - around his collar the letter 'S' is embroidered with pearls in a repeat pattern

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P643
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P643/

Provenance

- Prince del Drago collection (according to a label on the reverse)
- the Estate of Florence J. Gould; Sotheby's, New York, 25 April (=2nd day) 1985, lot 79, as Follower of Lucas Cranach I.
- sold at Christie's, New York, 29.10.2019, lot 805
[Christie's online, accessed 12.01.2024]

Research History / Discussion

Other versions include: [AT_LGB_128], [DE_SMG_SG13] and [DE_KSVC_M021]. Like these examples the present painting was probably originally paired with a companion piece (depicting Sybille von Cleve).

[cda 2024]

  • Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous, Elector of Saxony, about 1535

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License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous, 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-P643/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous, 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-P643/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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