Description
The painting Triptych with the Holy Kinship (verso) by the artist Lucas Cranach the Elder is a work of art noted for its Renaissance artistic style and unique composition. The piece, with an original size of 121 x 100 cm, is made up of three panels that represent different scenes from the life of the Holy Family.
The central panel shows the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, surrounded by her extended family, including her mother, Saint Anne, and her cousin Elizabeth. The composition is symmetrical and balanced, with the characters arranged in a perfect circle around the central figure of Mary and Jesus.
The side panels show Saint Joseph and Saint John the Baptist, respectively. Both characters are realistically depicted, with carefully worked details in their clothing and facial features.
The coloring of the painting is vibrant and eye-catching, with bright, warm tones that create a feeling of warmth and harmony. Floral and architectural details in the background add depth and texture to the work.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it was created in the 16th century for the Church of Saint Lawrence in Nuremberg, Germany. During the Protestant Reformation, the painting was removed from the church and sold to a private collector. Later, it was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it is currently located.
A little known aspect of this painting is that its back is also painted, showing a Crucifixion scene. This technique of painting both sides of a panel is known as "double view" and was common in Renaissance times.
In summary, the painting Triptych with the Holy Kinship (verso) by Lucas Cranach the Elder is an impressive work of art that combines exquisite Renaissance style with balanced composition and vibrant colouring. Its history and double view technique make it even more fascinating and unique.