Dr. Johannes Cuspinian 1503

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted this portrait of Dr. Johannes Cuspinian using oil on wood panel, a traditional medium for the time. The smooth, controlled brushwork and the build-up of thin glazes demonstrate the meticulous craft involved. Consider the materiality of the painting itself. The wood support provided a stable, rigid surface for the application of paint. Cranach carefully built up layers of color, using his knowledge of pigment properties to create a luminous effect, as seen in the fur coat and the subject’s skin. The preciousness of these materials, and the artist's skill in rendering them, speaks to the sitter's status. The sheer amount of work required to create such a painting highlights the labor involved in artistic production. It also points to the economic power and social status necessary to commission such a piece, illustrating the connections between art, patronage, and wealth in the 16th century. Appreciating the materials and processes behind this artwork helps us move beyond simple representation, and connect it to the broader cultural and economic context of its time.