Portrait of the Elector John Frederic the Magnanimous of Saxony (1503-1554) 1533

This portrait of John Frederick the Magnanimous of Saxony, painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1533, showcases the artist’s distinctive style. Cranach, a prominent figure in the German Renaissance, captured the Elector’s stoic demeanor and noble presence through meticulous detail. The subject's fur-trimmed garment, the ornate jewelry, and the subtle folds of his clothing highlight the artist's mastery of depicting texture and form. The portrait's intimate scale emphasizes the subject's importance and likely served as a personal memento for the Elector. This work, now part of the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst collection, remains an important example of German Renaissance portraiture.