German painter born in
1472. Initially known as Lucas Müller or Lucas Sunder, he later named himself after his place of birth, Kranach in
Franconia. During his early years, he probably studied painting with his father. At the turn of the century, he moved to
Vienna. Some of his works from this time still remain. Whilst in Vienna, Cranach was inspired by
Albrecht Durer, one of the
renaissance pioneers.
In
1505, Lucas was appointed court painter in
Wittemberg, and he retained that position for 45 years. He was a prominent citizen and became
mayor in 1537, partly due to his friendship with
Martin Luther.
His style is revolutionary compred to the dominating '
Ars Nova' from the fifteenth century - attention to detail gave way to passionate, emotional works with a more violent and sensual content (Some rather
Heavy Metalish renderings of chicks with swords, severed heads and stuff.), neatly capturing the
zeitgeist of the
Reformation.
Lucas Cranach died in
Weimar in 1553.
Famous works:
-
Samson and Delilah - 1529.
-
Judith with the Head of Holofernes - approximately 1530.