Famous German painters

Lucas Cranach 1472 into Kronach 10/16/1553 into Weimar

PERSONAL DATA:
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Career:
Lucas Cranach the Elder Ä. was one of the most important painters and graphic artists of the German Renaissance. He was born the son of a painter around 1472 in Kronach, Franconia.

The artist lived in Wittenberg from 1505 to 1550. Elector Friedrich the Wise, the founder of Wittenberg University, brought him to the city on the Elbe as court painter. As early as 1508, he gave him a coat of arms with a winged snake. In the same year, Cranach traveled to the Netherlands on behalf of Elector Friedrich.

About two years later he married Barbara Brengebier, the daughter of the mayor of Gotha. In the years that followed, Lucas Cranach had extensive construction work carried out on his house at Schlossstrasse 1. Here he developed his workshop into an artistically diverse manufacturing company.

His two sons Hans and Lucas (the younger) both became painters following their father`s example. In 1520 Lucas Cranach acquired the pharmacy privilege. In 1523 Cranach ran a printing shop for a short time and later also a book shop. The Cranach couple were witnesses at the wedding of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora.

Lucas Cranach made the city of Wittenberg the center of his life. Here he created all his works or had them painted in his painting school. Cranach was one of the most respected and richest citizens of Wittenberg. He was a member of the Wittenberg Council for many years and was also elected mayor several times. Cranach died in Weimar in 1553 at the age of 81.

The Cranach Foundation Wittenberg erected a memorial to the successful painter at his place of work in the courtyard of Schlossstrasse 1, which was unveiled on November 27, 2005 to the great sympathy of Wittenberg citizens.

Known works of art:

Paradise