Friedrich III (1463–1525), the Wise, Elector of Saxony 1533

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted this portrait of Friedrich III, Elector of Saxony, around 1533 using oil on wood. The work is structured into three distinct zones: portrait, text panel, and the strip with the inscription on the sitter. Notice how Cranach employs a muted palette, dominated by earth tones and blacks, which imbue the subject with a sense of gravitas. The figure's robust form and stern expression is framed by the dark fur coat. The lines of the portrait are crisp and defined, typical of Northern Renaissance portraiture, yet there is a flatness in the rendering of form. The formal structure of the portrait and the inclusion of the text panel below, places emphasis on Friedrich III as a figure of authority and wisdom, reflecting the cultural values and the rise of individualism during the Renaissance. This combination of elements conveys a complex interplay between the individual and his public image. The inscription above serves to further cement this representation within a defined historical and cultural context.