Lucas Cranach

Universal Realism

In his masterpiece The Stag Hunt of the Elector, Cranach employs an aerial perspective reminiscent of Patinir's bird's-eye view. His realistic depictions of flora, fauna, and practices associated with hunting provide a comprehensive record of game hunting in the 16th century. In the distance, Cranach hints at an urban setting, and a castle looms over the entire scene validating the authority of the royal hunt. Cranach's rich use of geographical detail is apparant in the effusive portrayal of thick forests and river currents. The subject of a royal hunt is holistically documented in the artist's fastidious attention to detail.