Christian Cyclopedia

(Kranach; Kronach). Family of Ger. painters that apparently took its name from Kronach in Upper Franconia. 1. Lucas the Elder (1472–1553). B. Kronach; d. Weimar; influenced by humanists while at Vienna (ca. 1503); court painter under Frederick* III (the Wise) ca. 1505 and under John* the Constant and John* Frederick. Friend of Luther; active in arrangements and formalities of his marriage; sponsor of his oldest son. Mem. of the council and mayor of Wittenberg. Influenced by A. Dürer* and painters of Bavaria and Austria. Painter of princes of Saxony and N Ger. and of the Reformation. Works include portraits, altar pieces, woodcut designs, copperplate engravings, and sketches for dies. Early espoused cause of Reformation; his art shows ev. understanding of Scripture and ch. Painted portraits of Luther and practically all important Luth. reformers. Noted also for secular paintings (e.g., Venus and Cupid; Judgment of Paris; Jealousy). 2. Hans (d. 1537). D. Bologna; son of 1; worked with father; after his death Luther addressed words of comfort to his father. 3. Lucas the Younger (1515–86). B. and d. Wittenberg; son of 1, worked with father and continued his style.