In The Footsteps of Lucas Cranach the Elder in Germany

On our travels, we’re often looking at the buildings and artifacts of the past. But how often do we truly consider the people of that earlier time? On our recent travels, we’ve sought out some of these personal stories. On a recent trip to Central Germany, I encountered a man who played an important historical role, but has been relegated to a mere footnote: the painter known as Lucas Cranach the Elder.

I wasn’t looking for Lucas Cranach when I came to Germany and had never heard of him before. But it seems like at every turn, I encountered this man and his works. During my visit, Germany had declared the official “Year of Cranach” to promote his legacy.

In the past, when Lucas Cranach the Elder has been remembered by history, it has not always been favorable. Prior showings of his work have noted that he is “one of the strangest Renaissance artists” and his works have a “suggestion of sarcasm.” And those are the positive reviews.

He’s also noted as being “a man seized with cold rage,” whose paintings have a “disturbing irony” and his work is “almost oppressive.” His paintings of women have been deemed “overtly sexual,” borderline pedophilic and far more suggestive than other painters of the day.

Lucas Cranach lived in Central Germany in the last half of the 15th and early 16th centuries. He was one of the most prolific painters – ever. During his 81 years and using his skills acquired throughout Europe, he produced countless works. Like other German Renaissance artists, he played a role in the development of the modern pencil.

Soon, Cranach was a favorite court painter and was deeply ingratiated to the aristocratic class in Germany (especially Emperor Charles V). But most importantly, Cranach was close friends with Martin Luther and was named godfather to Luther’s first child, Johannes Luther. Cranach had a ringside seat for the Reformation and used his skills and position to document it.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t my religious tradition. I don’t have an opinion on the spiritual doctrine of either the Catholic Church or the Protestant Reformation. I’m viewing the man Lucas Cranach, his art and even the historical context as that of an outsider.

But that’s precisely why I sought out Lucas Cranach and his work after stumbling on him. Not coming out of the Christian tradition, I wanted to learn about it. He lived, witnessed and documented an extremely important period of world history – the Reformation and turmoil in Europe.

As I traveled, I was struck by a single painting – the crucifixion of Christ in which Lucas Cranach the Elder paints himself being present and being bathed in the blood of Jesus. To me, it is a very unusual scene. During my trip to Germany, I searched out this painting and encountered a number of sites associated with the Elder Cranach as I walked in his footsteps –

Lucas Cranach the Elder Sites in Germany

The Coburg Fortress

Early in his career as court painter, Cranach came to Coburg to focus on his representation of animals. During his stay, he created a vast number of royal portraits, many still survive. Today, the Coburg Fortress is home to a large collection of Cranach’s work.

St. Mary’s Cathedral in Erfurt

While in Erfurt, Germany, I spent an afternoon on a marvelous walking tour of the city. The guide pointed out an important work by Cranach inside the St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine is a very popular motif in Christian art and we’ve seen it before on our travels.

The premise is that St. Catherine, a virgin saint, is mystically wedded to the baby Jesus (which always kind of creeps me out when I see it). But Lucas Cranach’s painting is unusual in that it is a rare double wedding of both Saint Catherine of Siena and also Saint Catherine of Alexandria to the infant Jesus Christ.

Wartburg Castle in Eisenach

Wartburg Castle is one of the most important sites of the Protestant Reformation. It was here that Martin Luther went into hiding and translated the Bible into German – putting the gospel in the hands of the people for the first time. A number of important works by Cranach are displayed at the castle, including portraits of Luther’s parents.

Weimar

Weimar was Cranach’s final home. His palatial residence still stands on the main market square. Many of Lucas Cranach’s most important paintings are on display at the Palace Museum in the Cranach Gallery. Here, we can see portraits of Martin Luther as well as Christ and the Adultress, a theme he painted nearly a dozen times during his life.

However, the important site in Weimar is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul with its massive Cranach altar. This was the painting of the crucifixion I had sought out. Here, Lucas Cranach and his friend Martin Luther attend the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Cranach is bathed in Christ’s blood. This is an explosive political commentary: it indicts the Catholic Church and states no priest is needed to stand between the common man (Cranach) and god. It truly is a beautiful painting.

Nearly 500 years after the Protestant Reformation, it was interesting for me to see this troubled period through the eyes of an eye witness. I didn’t go looking for Lucas Cranach the Elder on my travels in Germany, but I’m glad I discovered him.

Visiting Information for Cranach Sites

The Coburg Fortress – Towering above the village of Coburg, the Coburg Fortress (Veste Coburg) is open April-October daily from 9:30am-5:00pm; from November-March on Tuesday-Sunday from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Website: www.kunstsammlungen-coburg.de

St. Mary’s Cathedral in Erfurt – Located on the massive Domplatz square in the Old Town. The Cathedral is open from May-October on Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-6:00pm, and 1:00pm-6:00pm on Sunday; from November-April on Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-6:00pm, and 1:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday. Website: www.dom-erfurt.de

Wartburg Castle in Eisenach – Located on the hill above town. The castle is open from April-October daily from 8:30am-5:00pm; and November-March daily from 9:00am-3:30pm. Website: www.wartburg.de

The Palace Museum in Weimar – Open April-October 15 on Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am-6:00pm; and October 16-March on Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm. Website: www.klassik-stiftung.de

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Weimar – Located on the Herderplatz in Weimar. Open from April-October on Monday-Friday from 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturday from 10:00am-noon and again 2:00pm-4:00pm; Sunday from 11:00am-noon and again from 2:00pm-4:00pm. From November-March, open daily from 11:00am-noon and again from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Website: www.ek-weimar.de

While in Germany, I was the guest of the German National Tourist Board. I’m grateful to the GNTB as well as Thuringia Tourism, Weimar Tourism, the Erfurt Tourism & Marketing Board, and the Eisenach Wartburg Region. As always, all opinions are my own.