Hunt in honor of Charles V near Torgau castle

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. The edges of the forest 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 into the water in fear, noble hunters with crossbows waiting for them on the other side, boats on the river - some pick up dead deer, on others - court ladies admiring such an enticing spectacle - the whole composition is permeated with dynamics, rutting sounds, dogs barking. Such paintings by Cranach are exceptional in their peculiar passion for performance, for the genuine vitality of action. In his declining years, Cranach wrote, together with his son Lucas Cranach the Younger, a similar Hunt in honor of Emperor Charles near the Torgau castle (1544, Madrid, Prado).