An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Hunting near Hartenfels Castle1540
Lucas Cranach
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. The prince electors of Saxony were passionate practitioners of hunting with dogs—elaborate, highly rehearsed occasions, coordinated by the use of signals from hunting horns. Cranach dated this work and his signature is the winged snake at lower right. 1577 in the right corner is an inventory number.
Humans, dogs, and deer make up most of the creatures in this busy scene—but not all of them! Look closely at the background to spot a bear and three boars.
oil, originally on wood, transferred to masonite
Framed: 133 x 185.5 x 7.3 cm (52 3/8 x 73 1/16 x 2 7/8 in.); Unframed: 116.8 x 170.2 cm (46 x 67 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the serene landscape of eastern Germany, an enchanting scene unfolds beside the majestic Hartenfels Castle, the residence of Saxony's Protestant rulers. The air is filled with anticipation as morning light dances across the river, reflecting the excitement of the hunt. Below the castle's stone walls, the elegantly detailed tableau comes alive—an animated hunt where every figure seems to breathe.
At the forefront is John Frederick the Magnanimous, clad in his dark green hunting attire that melds seamlessly with the woods he adores. With a focused demeanor, he spans his crossbow, his eyes trained on the distant thicket where the stag will soon emerge. The noble courtiers flanking him buzz with energy, their loyal hounds poised to spring into action, eager to chase their quarry across the glistening waters.
To the right of John stands his wife, the dignified Electress Sibylle, a figure of grace and authority. She holds her bow with confidence, ready to take the ceremonial first shot, a moment steeped in tradition and grandeur. This spectacle is not merely a hunt; it is a cherished ritual, meticulously coordinated by the rich calls of hunting horns that pierce the still air, summoning both man and beast into a dance of instinct and elegance.
As we look closer, we see Lucas Cranach’s signature—the winged snake etched delicately in the lower right corner, reminiscent of the artist’s skill in capturing both the majesty of the hunt and the nobility of its participants. With the year 1577 noted nearby, this artwork becomes a window not just into history, but into the very spirit of Saxony’s elite, their passion for the hunt entwined with their lives and legacies.
Here, framed by nature’s beauty, the hunt transcends mere sport; it becomes a story of power, companionship, and the pursuit of glory. In this moment, frozen in time, we witness the profound connection between the rulers and their land, a tableau alive with purpose and intent.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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