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Melancholy, 1532. Creator: Lucas Cranach the Elder
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Melancholy, 1532. Creator: Lucas Cranach the Elder
Melancholy, 1532
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Media ID 36289683
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Allegorical Amorini Angelic Ball Black Smoke Cherubim Cherubs Childhood Cranach Lucas Cranach The Elder Lucas Four People Game Hoop And Stick Lenfance Lucas Cranach The Elder Melancholic Melancholy View Through Letterbox Format National Gallery Of Denmark Pastime Putti Statens Museum For Kunst
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Melancholy," a captivating oil on wood painting created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1532, invites viewers to ponder the complexities of human emotion. This allegorical masterpiece, a testament to the artistic prowess of the German Renaissance, is now housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark) in Copenhagen. The image, presented in a panoramic, lenfance, or letterbox format, depicts four figures in various stages of melancholy. A young woman, her face etched with sorrow, sits in the foreground, her gaze fixed on a letter she holds in her hand. A young man, also melancholic, plays a hoop and stick game with a dog at his feet. Two cherubs, or amorini, hover above, their faces expressing a mixture of curiosity and concern. The contrast between the light and dark elements in the painting is striking. The figures are bathed in a warm, golden light, while the background is filled with black smoke, as if to represent the darkness of the human psyche. The use of color is masterful, with the rich reds and blues adding depth and emotion to the scene. The presence of the cherubs and the putti, or putto, in the painting suggests a religious or mythological interpretation. The melancholic figures may represent the human condition, with the cherubs offering comfort and understanding. The painting's allegorical nature and its exploration of the concept of melancholy make it a standout work of the artistic school of Cranach and the Renaissance period. The National Gallery of Denmark is fortunate to have this precious piece in its collection, allowing generations to come to appreciate the beauty and depth of this 16th-century masterpiece.
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