Hunt in honor of Ferdinand I near Torgau castle

Cranach Lucas the Elder (1472-1553)
German painter and graphic artist of the Renaissance. Most of his life he worked in Wittenberg at the court of the Saxon Elector Frederick the Wise and his successors. He created altar compositions, painted pictures on biblical and mythological subjects, genre scenes, hunting scenes.
The master's commissioned works also include paintings of a peculiar genre, depicting the favorite pastime of his august patrons - hunting deer. The strong point of these "hunts" is the landscape environment. Forest edges with
lawns where brave horse hunters drive whole herds of deer, winding rivers, castles and fortresses visible in the distance - this whole real natural world is full of life and movement. Galloping horsemen, pursued by hounds of deer, rushing in fear into the water, noble hunters with crossbows waiting for them on the other side, boats on
the river - some are picking up dead deer, on others - the ladies of the court, admiring such an enticing sight - the whole composition is permeated with dynamics, the sounds of rutting, the barking of dogs. Such paintings by Cranach are exceptional in their peculiar passion for performance, for the genuine vitality of action.