A final remark about #Cranach before moving on. His signature. It's a most elaborate thing: a winged serpent with ruby ring.

Until 1508 Cranach, like his contemporary #Dürer, signed his works with his initials. In that year the Elector of Saxony, "Frederick the Wise", gave him the winged snake as an emblem, or Kleinod*. From then on, this honour became his signature.

Only 4 of the #NationalGallery 10 C's are signed: NG291, NG1925, NG2925 and NG6344.

* A visible honour or order of merit

The German master #LucasCranach was a busy bee. He and his workshop created over 5000 works of #Art. Clearly, there was a market.

Victorian cognoscenti thought otherwise. German #Renaissance paintings were barely collectable being considered primitive and ugly, 'repulsive', even. A most visceral reaction.

Post WWII tastes were more enlightened, and supply meant good #Cranach's could still be reasonably acquired. Sadly, too late for the #NationalGallery whose only #Dürer cost them £10m in 1996.

The German master #LucasCranach was a busy bee. He and his workshop created over 5000 works of #Art. Clearly, there was a market.

Victorian cognoscenti thought otherwise. German #Renaissance paintings were barely collectable being considered primitive and ugly, 'repulsive', even. A most visceral reaction.

Post WWII tastes were more enlightened, and supply meant good #Cranach's could still be reasonably acquired. Sadly, too late for the #NationalGallery whose only #Dürer cost them £10m in 1996.

RT @artistdurer
Third Knot, 1507 #dürer #albrechtdurer

RT @artistdurer
Combined Coat of Arms of the Tucher and Rieter Families, 1499 #dürer #northernrenaissance

Wenn das Genie gerade Pause hat...
Melancolia I
von Albrecht #Dürer
Dank an #wikipedia

Wenn das Genie gerade Pause hat...
Melancolia I
von Albrecht #Dürer
Dank an #wikipedia