Caritas 1535

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted Caritas with oil on panel, an established choice of material for painters in Northern Europe at the time. Cranach coaxes out an impressive range of tones from the simple medium. Note the flesh, pale and luminous, set against the darker background. The artist built up layers of thin paint, called glazes, to create depth and vibrancy. This painstaking technique reflects the workshop system prevalent in the Renaissance, where skilled assistants would contribute to the final product. The painting’s subject, Charity, is both physical and allegorical. Cranach presents the viewer with an image of motherhood, but also with a symbolic representation of Christian love and devotion. Consider the labor involved in both depicting and embodying Caritas, as Cranach encourages us to think about art making and motherhood together, in all their messy, material reality.