Hunting near Hartenfels Castle

Hunting near Hartenfels Castle by Lucas Cranach: The Protestant rulers of Saxony commissioned this animated hunt scene, set near their residence seen in the…

What to notice

In Hunting near Hartenfels Castle, start with classical, figurative, complex. Then look closely at this museum-described detail: John Frederick the Magnanimous, in the bottom left corner, wears dark green hunting attire; he spans his crossbow and waits for his courtiers and dogs to chase a stag across the river.

Discover

The Protestant rulers of Saxony commissioned this animated hunt scene, set near their residence seen in the background, Hartenfels Castle (in eastern Germany). John Frederick the Magnanimous, in the bottom left corner, wears dark green hunting attire; he spans his crossbow and waits for his courtiers and dogs to chase a stag across the river. His wife, the Electress Sibylle, stands at right, poised to take the first ceremonial shot.