Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg
Original title: Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder engraved Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg in 1520, capturing him in ecclesiastical vestments. This print stands among the early examples of reproductive engraving in the Renaissance, making the portrait of the powerful prince of the church available in larger numbers.
Description
The cardinal appears wearing a bishop's mitre and a mantle with a hood; his face is rendered in fine detail with delicate lines. Behind him is a multi-field coat of arms with a cross, and above it runs a band of Latin titles and honors. Below the portrait follows another Latin text naming the sitter and his age (30 years). The arrangement feels symmetrical, and the execution remains in black and white.
Context
Albrecht of Brandenburg was Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. Cranach portrayed him in 1520 at about age 30. The small sheet (16.9 × 11.5 cm) belongs to the emerging reproductive printmaking of the time, which circulated portraits of rulers and clergy in larger editions. Cranach served as court painter to the Saxon electors and maintained close ties to humanist and reformist circles.
Impact
The precise linework and clear layout give the portrait a dignified, representative tone. Facial features and vestments are captured in such detail that the sitter's claim to authenticity and authority becomes evident.
Technique
Cranach engraved the drawing into the copper plate and then printed it on paper. With exactly placed lines and hatching he modeled light and shadow, allowing for high detail. The small format suggests use as a devotional or collectible image.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)