Brandofferaltaar en wasvat in tabernakel

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2233

Art Historical Context

### Brandofferaltaar envat in tabernakelCreated by Lucas Cranach the between 1523 and 1526, this intimate artwork measures just 221 x 131 mm and showcases the master's skill in hand coloring—a technique that brought vibrant life to drawings or prints during the Northern Renaissance. Cranach, prolific German artist and close associate of Martin Luther, was for his detailed, realistic depictions blending late Gothic precision with emerging Reformation influences. The piece bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2233), hinting at its prized status among connoisseurs over centuries. The title, translating from Dutch as "Incense Altar and Washbasin in the Tabernacle," evokes sacred Old Testament imagery from Exodus, portraying key elements of the Israelite sanctuary: an altar for burnt offerings and a bronze laver for priestly purification. Rendered in this compact format, it likely served as a devotional study or illustrative print, common in Cranach's oeuvre amid the 1520s Protestant upheaval, when biblical accuracy challenged Catholic traditions. This work exemplifies Cranach's versatility beyond grand altarpieces, highlighting hand coloring's role in making religious art accessible and personal. Its survival offers a window into early modern piety, bridging antiquity's rituals with Renaissance devotion. Visitors, imagine holding this luminous relic— a testament to faith's enduring visual power! (198 words)