Reliquary with the Trinity, from "Wittenberg Reliquaries"
Original title: Reliquary with the Trinity, from "Wittenberg Reliquaries"
kurzbeschreibung
This undated sheet by Lucas Cranach the Elder comes from the series of Wittenberg Reliquaries and presents a reliquary containing the Holy Trinity. The woodcut, preserved in a format of 13.6 × 10.5 cm, combines a central saintly figure with a symmetrically arranged group of putti and symbolic elements.
Description
A crowned saintly figure sits at the center of the sheet, dressed in a patterned robe of crosses and circles. At the base of the pedestal, several putti stand beside a shield bearing a cross. Naked putti occupy side platforms, and further figures appear below in adoring poses. Faint textual hints on the plain ground point to the reliquary's context. The layout is strictly symmetrical, which makes the central figure stand out as the main motif.
Context
The Wittenberg Reliquaries are connected with the extensive relic collection of Frederick the Wise, kept in the Wittenberg Castle Church. To record and disseminate the relics in printed form, Lucas Cranach the Elder made the woodcuts of this series. The sheets served pilgrims as illustrated inventories and were published in the early 16th century. This series counts among the important documents of Reformation pictorial publication before Luther's posting of the theses.
Impact
Clear contours and the symmetrical arrangement give the monochrome view a solemn, almost devotional character. Through the recurring putti figures and the saintly figure at the center, the sheet gains a rhythmic structure that directs the gaze to the main motif. Despite the small format, the woodcut emanates a monumental presence that emphasizes the significance of the reliquary.
Technique
Lucas Cranach the Elder executed the woodcut as a relief printing process: the drawing was cut into the woodblock and transferred to paper with printing ink. Varying depths of ink model contours and shadows, giving the sheet a plastic quality. This technique allowed for a high print run, making the motif accessible to a broad audience.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)