'This painting is the outstanding work by Cranach (c.1472-1553) in the Royal Collection. It shows the sun god Apollo, admired for his moral standing and physical beauty, and his twin sister Diana or Artemis, goddess of the moon, who was associated with chastity, archery and hunting. The emphasis on humanity
'This painting is the outstanding work by Cranach (c.1472-1553) in the Royal Collection. It shows the sun god Apollo, admired for his moral standing and physical beauty, and his twin sister Diana or Artemis, goddess of the moon, who was associated with chastity, archery and hunting. The emphasis on humanity closely related to the primeval forest and hunting recalls Cranach's earlier work and the so-called Danube School. Apollo and Diana is given a particular intensity by the way in which the figures are seen in relief but also related to the forest behind them. Diana's precisely rendered hair curls around the stag's antlers, which in turn are deliberately confused with the branches of the trees behind. Cranach's characteristically incisive clarity and attention to minute detail is seen here - for example, in the reflected light in the stag's eye or the small swans swimming on the lake.'
- Attribution
- Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [The Royal Collection, revised 2012] |
- Production dates
- about 1526
about 1530
Production dates
about 1526 | [The Royal Collection, revised 2012] |
about 1530 | [Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994, No. 173b] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 83.8 x 56.5 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 83.8 x 56.5 cm
[The Royal collection, revised 2012]
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia at the bottom left: winged serpent with elevated wings facing right; in black paint
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia at the bottom left: winged serpent with elevated wings facing right; in black paint
- Owner
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, London
- Repository
- The Royal Collection, London
- Location
- London
- CDA ID
- UK_RCL_RCIN407294
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR271A
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/UK_RCL_RCIN407294/